Dhammayangyi

Pagan, Burma
1167-1170

Dhammayangyi was built late in the reign of Sithu I (1113-1170), its magnificent pyramidal height dominating the surrounding plain. Like That-byin-nyu, the temple remained unfinished upon Sithu's death. Its cruciform floor plan, with shrines in each arm connected by a circumferential corridor, resembles the later Sulamani temple. Both temples have a solid central core, but in Dhammayangyi, the ambulatory and three of the four shrines were filled in with brick rubble, for reasons which even today remain mysterious.

This photo was taken from a hot-air balloon; the balloon company's chase vehicle is seen here at the base of the temple.