1. ARCHITECTURAL ASPECTS OF STUPAS DURING THE REIGN OF KING NARAPATISITHU IN BAGAN, MYANMAR
PRESENTED BY
THET OO
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
WEST YANGON TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, MYANMAR
25 JULY, UNISERV, CHIANG MAI

2. OUTLINES OF PRESENTATION
Aims and Objectives
Abstract
Research Methodology
Introduction
Reasons for Focusing on the Reign of King Narapatisithu
Architectural Aspects of Stupas
Developments and Changes in Architectural Aspects
Conclusions

3. 1. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
to study on creation of architectural aspects of stupas
to express in attempting of the development of architectural aspects during the reign of study
to conserve the cultural heritage buildings
to uplift Myanmar religious structures
to support the conservation and maintenance of these historical buildings in Bagan

4. 2. ABSTRAT
two types of pagoda in Bagan, Temple and Stupa
form of stupa – circular basement, bulbous shape, rectangular basement, pentagonal basement and octagonal basement
surpassing example of the Bagan stupa, Dhammayazika stupa
Sapada, Sapadaw and Satanagyi Stupa
the architectural and technological achievements of Myanmar religious Architecture

5. 3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
stage 1 _ literature review and field study of stupas in Bagan
stage 2 _ analysis on architectural aspects of the stupas during the reign of King Narapatisithu
(i) reflection in the form
(ii) structural aspects
(iii) decorative aspects
Stage 3 _ find out the developments and changes in architectural aspects of the stupas during the reign of King Narapatisithu

6. built the religious structures to show their powerful and glory
4. INTRODUCTION
built the religious structures to show their powerful and glory
involved various sizes and forms up to the highest and largest buildings from the smallest buildings
cannot find the buildings that having the same form although many religious structures have in Bagan
Source; Pe Maung Tin and Luce, G.H., The Glass Place Chromicle (tr), Burma Research
Society, Rangoon, 1960 (Reprint)

7. 5. REASONS FOR FOCUSING ON THE REIGN OF KING NARAPATISITHU
the development of architectural edifices
_ early Bagan period (about 1044 AD to 1113 AD)
King Anawrahta to King Kyansittha
_ middle Bagan period (about 1113 AD to 1174 AD)
King Alongsithu to King Narapatisithu
_ late Bagan period (about 1174 AD to 1300 AD)
King Narapatisithu to King Naratihapati
the developments of architectural edifices got the most outstanding and famous levels.
Source; Strachan, Paul; Pagan, Art and Architecture of old Burma, Arran, 1989.

8. REASONS FOR FOCUSING ON …
Continued
a distinct plan
17 Pagodas with pentagonal plan-shaped
the most massive and largest stupa
more required in skill than other rectangular and circular plan-shaped structures

9. 6. ARCHITECTURAL ASPECTS OF STUPAS
Chattravali
Anda
Medhi
the chief parts of a stupa are (i) Chattravali
(ii) Anda
(iii) Medhi
Source; Min Thet Mon, Ma. (1998). Appreciation of Reflections of Buddhism in Early
Bagan Period, M.Arch. (Thesis).

10. ARCHITECTURAL ASPECTS …
Continued
Chattravali
Anda
Medhi
(i) the conical spires and the metal crown
(ii) the circular bell-shaped dome
(iii) the spreading terraces at the bottom of the stupas
Source; Min Thet Mon, Ma. (1998). Appreciation of Reflections of Buddhism in Early
Bagan Period, M.Arch. (Thesis).

11. ARCHITECTURAL ASPECTS …
Continued
DHAMMAYAZIKA STUPA
donation of King Narapatisithu in AD 1196
situated on the west side of west Phwasaw village
a biggest pentagonal monument in Bagan
Source; Aung Kyaing, Minbu. (1997). Architecture of Bagan Ancient Monuments,
Sarpay Beikman, Yangon.

12. resembles the Shwezigon Stupa
DHAMMAYAZIKA STUPA
Continued
reflection in the form
resembles the Shwezigon Stupa
lies at the centre of a 15-sided walled enclosure with five gateways
lies on the pentagonal platform with five satellite temples
dedicated the representing of the five Buddha, Kakusandha, Konagamana, Kassapa, Gotama, and including future Buddha, Maiteya

13. pediments are flaming arch pediments openings are perforated windows
DHAMMAYAZIKA STUPA
Continued
pediments are flaming arch pediments
openings are perforated windows
Plan-shape of Dhammayazika Stupa
Source: Inventory of Monuments at Pagan
Form Composition of Dhammayazika Stupa
Source: The Process of Developments and Changes
in Art and Architecture of Pagan

14. brick masonry is used with stone reinforcements at the corners
DHAMMAYAZIKA STUPA
Continued
structural aspects
consists of five sided bases, five corners and five angles which have 108° each
brick masonry is used with stone reinforcements at the corners
used by _ cloister vaults over shrine
_ barrel vaults over entrance hall and porches
_ flat arches over perforated windows
_ stone reinforcements at the base corners and at the window sills

15. stucco mouldings _ on the terraces
DHAMMAYAZIKA STUPA
Continued
decorative aspects
attached to plain stucco mouldings, glazed decorations and mural paintings
stucco mouldings _ on the terraces
_ on the frieze with ogre heads and decorative belt
glazed decorations_ from the lowest to upper terraces
_ on the niches along the terraces
mural paintings _ under cloister vaults
_ on the wall that’s behind the image in the shrine

16. ARCHITECTURAL ASPECTS …
Continued
SAPADA STUPA
built in the 12th century AD 1196 by Sapada who was ordained a monk in Ceylon
situated on the southern sector of Nyaung-U
one of the Sinhalese monuments in Bagan
Source; Aung Kyaing, Minbu. (1997). Architecture of Bagan Ancient Monuments,
Sarpay Beikman, Yangon.

17. the model of Thuparama from Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka
SAPADA STUPA
Continued
reflection in the form
the model of Thuparama from Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka
lies at the centre of an enclosure wall
lies on a rectangular platform with two gateways
relic chamber being constructed between bell-shaded done and conical spires

18. composes with circular base and circular terraces
SAPADA STUPA
Continued
structural aspects
composes with circular base and circular terraces
the whole structure is circular shape except from relic chamber.
brick masonary abounded with fine plaster carvings.

19. attached to plain stucco mouldings
SAPADA STUPA
Continued
decorative aspects
attached to plain stucco mouldings
along the circular terraces, bell-shaped dome, relic chamber and conical spires

20. 7. DEVELOPMENTS AND CHANGES IN ARCHITECTURAL ASPECTS
the development of architectural edifices along Bagan period can be recorded that
_ in early Bagan period, the religious structures were
influenced with Mon form.
_ in late Bagan period, these structures were influenced
with Myanmar form.
_ inscribed with Mon languages to Myanmar languages

21. DEVELOPMENTS AND CHANGES …
Continued
in early Bagan period
_ massive form
_ thick walls
_ large brick sizes
_ little lighting into the interior space
_ single storey buildings with low terraces
_ not proportioned horizontal and vertical heights
in middle Bagan period
_ more than one storey
_ porches and windows at central shrine walls
_ inscriptions happened early Myanmar letters

22. DEVELOPMENTS AND CHANGES …
Continued
Myinkabazedi
Lawkananda Stupa
Shwesandaw Stupa
Source; Thet Oo, Mg. San Nan Shwe, Ma. (2004). Study on Architectural Aspects of
Temples and Stupas during the Reign of King Narapatisithu, Bagan,
M.Arch. (Thesis).

23. DEVELOPMENTS AND CHANGES …
Continued
in middle and late Bagan period
_ above platform and large storey height
_ little thin walls
_ small brick sizes
_ good lighting into the interior space
_ changed into light form
_ not only rectangular forms but also circular and
pentagonal forms

24. DEVELOPMENTS AND CHANGES …
Continued
Shwezigon Stupa
Dhammayazika Stupa
Source; Thet Oo, Mg. San Nan Shwe, Ma. (2004). Study on Architectural Aspects of
Temples and Stupas during the Reign of King Narapatisithu, Bagan,
M.Arch. (Thesis).

25. DEVELOPMENTS AND CHANGES …
Continued
MYINKABAZEDI
donation of King Anawrahta
one octagonal terrace and one circular terrace
without spreading terraces
Source; Aung Kyaing, Minbu. (1997). Architecture of Bagan Ancient Monuments,
Sarpay Beikman, Yangon.

26. DEVELOPMENTS AND CHANGES …
Continued
MYINKABAZEDI
Plan-shape of Myinkabazedi
Source: Inventory of Monuments at Pagan
Form Composition of Myinkabazedi
Source: The Process of Developments and Changes
in Art and Architecture of Pagan
directly on the platform
not consist of medial stairways

27. DEVELOPMENTS AND CHANGES …
Continued
LAWKANANDA STUPA
another donation of King Anawrahta
three octagonal terraces and one circular terrace
Source; Aung Kyaing, Minbu. (1997). Architecture of Bagan Ancient Monuments,
Sarpay Beikman, Yangon.

28. DEVELOPMENTS AND CHANGES …
Continued
LAWKANANDA STUPA
Plan-shape of Lawkananda Stupa
Source: Inventory of Monuments at Pagan
Form Composition of Lawkananda Stupa
Source: The Process of Developments and Changes
in Art and Architecture of Pagan
height of Medhi is nearly equal to height of Anda and Chattravali

29. DEVELOPMENTS AND CHANGES …
Continued
SHWESANDAW STUPA
another donation of King Anawrahta
two low octagonal terraces
Source; Aung Kyaing, Minbu. (1997). Architecture of Bagan Ancient Monuments,
Sarpay Beikman, Yangon.

30. DEVELOPMENTS AND CHANGES …
Continued
SHWESANDAW STUPA
Plan-shape of Shwesandaw Stupa
Source: Inventory of Monuments at Pagan
Form Composition of Shwesandaw Stupa
Source: The Process of Developments and Changes
in Art and Architecture of Pagan
Medhi is given priority and higher than the Anda and Chattravali and it can be seen as conical form.

31. DEVELOPMENTS AND CHANGES …
Continued
SHWEZIGON STUPA
donation of King Anawrahta and King Kyansittha
three accessible square terraces, one octagonal terrace and one circular terrace
Source; Aung Kyaing, Minbu. (1997). Architecture of Bagan Ancient Monuments,
Sarpay Beikman, Yangon.

32. DEVELOPMENTS AND CHANGES …
Continued
SHWEZIGON STUPA
Plan-shape of Shwezigon Stupa
Source: Inventory of Monuments at Pagan
Form Composition of Shwezigon Stupa
Source: The Process of Developments and Changes
in Art and Architecture of Pagan
the more massive type and thick circular mouldings run around the Chattravali

33. DEVELOPMENTS AND CHANGES …
Continued
MINGALARZEDI
donation of King Narathihapate
three accessible square terraces, one octagonal terrace and one circular terrace
Source; Aung Kyaing, Minbu. (1997). Architecture of Bagan Ancient Monuments,
Sarpay Beikman, Yangon.

34. DEVELOPMENTS AND CHANGES …
Continued
MINGALARZEDI
Plan-shape of Mingalarzedi
Source: Inventory of Monuments at Pagan
Form Composition of Mingalarzedi
Source: The Process of Developments and Changes
in Art and Architecture of Pagan
it resembles the Shwezigon Stupa but lies on a high platform
the last great Bagan monument

35. 8. CONCLUSIONS
two and half centuries between Anawrahta to Narathihapate, Bagan reached the zenith of its power.
Myanmar architecture passed through the golden age.
during the reign of study, the architectural aspects were changed and developed systematically.

36. CONCLUSIONS
Continued
the religious structures were built on the platform which showed the distinctive features of the philosophy of Buddhism and also to show their powers.
not only rectangular plan-shaped but also pentagonal and circular plan-shaped

37. CONCLUSIONS three main factors
Continued
three main factors
the reflections of the historical background in the reign of King Narapatisithu
the special features and ideas of creative ability during the reign of study
the developments and changes in architectural typology of stupas in Bagan
hope to convey the architectural and technological achievements of Myanmar religious architecture that reached its peak during the reign of King Narapatisithu (1174 AD – 1211 AD)

38. FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION
THANK YOU
FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION