Kyaukgu Umin

Type of monument	: Cave Temple
Location	: Nyaung U
Region	: Nyaung U & Wetkyi-In
Built by	: King Kyanzittha
Date	: 13th Century
Monument Number	:
Photo Gallery	: View 9 Photos

Kyaukgu Umin or the "Rock cave tunnel" is located in the Nyaung U region. It is an interesting place because of the use it has made to the natural topographical features.

 

This temple is chosen to be built in on a deep ravine site. The temple is built into the cliff side and consist of a high ground storey surmounted by two receding terraces on which stands a small pagoda.

THE DEEP STAIRWAYS ON THE TEMPLE
 

 

A high archway provides entry into the temple which has a large square hall inside it. Inside the hall, there are two huge pillars in the centre supporting the roof and the terraces above.

BUDDHA IMAGE INSIDE THE CAVE AND ANCIENT PAINTINGS ON TOP
 

 

On the opposite side of the entrance, there is a large image of the Buddha seated on a carved lotus throne.

EMBEDDED BUDDHA IMAGES AND STUCCOS ON THE WALLS
 

 

On the walls are square panels of paintings describing the lives of the Buddha. There are doors on either side of the pillars leading into a network of tunnels running deep into the hill. Inside those tunnels are full of caves for prayer and meditation.

NARROW AND DARK PATHS INSIDE THE CAVE
 

 

                  

Kyaunggyi Ama Temple

Type of monument	: Type III Temple (Kundaung Pauk Gu)
Location	: Southeast of Thiripyitsaya Village
Region	: Thiripyitsaya
Built by	: Unknown
Date	: 13th Century
Monument Number	: 997

Kyaunggyi Ama Temple is one large temple in Thiripyitsaya region. It is a two-storey building with a square base and a stupa on top. Kyaunggyi Ama means "the elder sister of the great temple".

This temple consists of an entrance hall leading to an inner hall. Some ruins of a large sitting Buddha Image lies inside the inner hall of the temple. As usual, there are wall paintings of the 550 jatakas of the lives of Buddha. There are also Myanmar and Pali ink inscriptions on the wall. Some of the stuccos can still be seen. Nearby is another similar temple known as Kyaunggyi Nyima.

Some archeologists assume that Kyaunggyi Ama and Kyaunggyi Nyima temples were built by two sisters of the Bagan Period.

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