Info
Ananda Temple is a Buddhist temple built in
1105 during the reign of King Kyanzittha. It is located in Bagan,
Myanmar. The name Ananda comes from the name of Buddha's cousin
and personal secretary Venerable Ananda, although it was once known
as Ananta Temple, coming from the phrase ananta pinya,
which translates as 'endless wisdom'.
The
temple is built with adapted Indian architectural styles. The
temple houses four standing Buddhas, which are adorned with gold leaf, with each facing a direction, from
north to south. The temple is cruciform in shape, with several
terraces leading to the top, which terminates with a small pagoda
and an umbrella (hti). Along the sides of the terraces and the base
of the temple are terra cotta tiles illustrating scenes from
the Jataka. Also, there is a shrine of
Kyanzittha and Shin Arahan.
The temple is also home to an annual week-long festival that is
held during the month of Pyahto (December to
January). Thousands of villagers from miles around set up
encampments around the temple. On the morning of the full moon,
they offer gift bowls for the hundreds of monks in attendance.