Shwesandaw Paya
The Ganesh Temple

Built: 1057 A.D. [Early Period]
Ruler: King Anawrata
Architectural Features:
The Shwesandaw Paya features a series of five diminishing terraces, with likenesses of the Hindu god Ganesh on its corners. The cylindrical stupa or zedi is set atop an octagonal platform. Dating from the early period of Bagan's temple building era, it was one of only three buildings from the reign of its first king, Anawrata, and the first to have exterior stairways extending to the base of the stupa.
Historical Information:
The first king of the temple building era, Anawrata, sought to embrace the principles of Theravada Buddhism, practiced by the nearby Mon kingdom of Thaton under its ruler, Manuha. Myanmar was at this time period in a religious transition from Mahayana Buddhism to Theravada Buddhism and Manuha had previously sent a monk to attempt to convert Anawrat] Anawrata asked Manuha for copies of Theravadist scriptures. Suspicious and doubting the depth of Anawrata's conversion, Manuha refused the request. Anawrata responded by sacking the Mon kingdom, brought back all its religious artifacts to Bagan, and imprisoned Manuha in Bagan. This overtly political act had two important consequences. First, the construction of this paya commemorating the victory over the Mon stimulated the period of empire building. Secondly, the assimilation of Mon culture into Bagan introduced elements of Mon architecture that eventually became central features of Bagan's architectural style.