BAGAN PAGODA HOPPING TRIP - A CLUSTER OF OLD AND SMALLER TEMPLES

a small kid trying to sell a self-made postcard

15th DECEMBER 2019 ~ Between the 11th and 13th century, there were about 4466 Buddhist temples and pagodas in Bagan. However, after the many earthquakes that happened in the distant and recent past, there are now only 2229 remain. Hence Bagan was given the nickname "Land of a Thousand Pagodas".

We went to this site which accommodated a cluster of old and small temples and pagodas and some were already tilted. I am not really certain of the exact name of this spot. People of the past built temples and pagodas to worship gods and to show their devotion. The richer citizens built bigger and grander temples. I guess common people would have to be satisfied with simpler and smaller ones.

Why was the structures looked like they were about to collapse? This was the effects of the massive earthquake that took place in Bagan.

So what is the difference between a temple and a pagoda (or stupa)? A temple is a building where people could go and stay inside, while a pagoda is usually solid with no entrance and it often houses important relics or preserved body parts of Buddha and other Buddhist figures.

I just wonder how much longer all these temples and stupas could last if there were more earthquakes in the future.

[MY MYANMAR TRIP MAIN PAGE]