Gawdawpalin Pahto
Platform to which Homage is Paid
Built: 1211-1234 [Later Period]
Ruler: King Narapatisithu
Architectural Features:
Gawdawpalin Pahto is one of the largest of the Bagan temples, and is considered the crowning achievement of the later Bagan period. It is similar in design to Thatbyinnyu, a cube shape with Buddha images on the the four sides of the ground floor. It is a bit unusual in the refinements added during its construction. It features the use of full pediments over the windows, and the stairways ascend through the walls rather than from within the central cubes.
Historical Information:
This temple was begun under the rule of Narapatisithu and completed under Nadaungmya. It has been extensively restored after the earthquake in 1975.

Photo Gallery:
The cube shaped first floor has the traditional Buddha images at the cardinal points.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

The long hallways that comprise the bottom level of the cube contain a number of Buddha images of varying sizes, with the largest appearing at the cardinal points. This view of the west hall shows the both the central shrine and a small Buddha icon.