Sulamani Temple

Pagan, Burma
c. 1181

At least one authority (Strachan, p.95) considers Sulamani to be "Pagan's ultimate temple" . Its synthesis of previously unreconciled design impulses proclaims Sulamani as a culmination of Pagan temple architecture. Built by King Sithu II (1174-1211), its design combines the horizontality of Early Period temples (850-1120) with the vertical uplift of the Middle Period (1120-1170), and reconciles Dhammayangyi's pyramidal outline with the block-on-block composition of Thatbyinnyu. Sulamani's design was imitated by later temples, such as the Htilominlo built thirty years later (1211) by the same king.

The sikhara is restored. The original tower would have been lower, forming a more perfect triangle with the rest of the building.