Htilominlo Temple
Htilominlo Temple is situated in Nyaung U and
Wetkyi-In Region of Bagan. The temple is about 1.5
km northeast of Bagan. This large temple was built
by King Nantaungmya in 1218. The temple is known to
be the last Myanmar Style temple built in Bagan. The
name is a misreading of the Pali word for 'Blessings
of the Three Worlds'.
History
King Nantaungmya erected the temple on
this spot because it was here that he was chosen,
from among five brothers, to be the crown prince.
Nantaungmya was King Narapati Sithu's son. The
selection of the heir to the throne had a tradition,
which was to erect a white umbrella and the future
ruler would be chosen when the white umbrella tilts
in his position. After the event, it was decided by
the state policy's council.
Inside the 46-metre-high temple, which is similar
in design to Sulamani Temple, there are four Buddhas
on the lower and upper floors. Traces of old murals
are also still visible. Fragments of the original
fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone
decorations have survived on the outside. The
doorways feature nice carved reliefs. Several old
horoscopes, painted to protect the building from
damage can be found on the walls of the temple. They
have no iron or wooden beam to buttress. They were
built of bricks and cement only. Glazed sandstone
tiles of green and yellow color decorated the
structure. They reflect brilliantly in the sunlight.
Glazed sandstone tiles are rare decorative artwork.
Glazing requires very high temperature. High
temperature can cause crack to sandstone tiles. Only
skilled technicians could produce such decorative
pieces.
As in the other monuments, plastic moldings
found at this pagoda are of no mean quality. A few
words may be said about its architecture. The
devotional halls have double tiered spans, with
hollow-outs between them. Under the pole plates are
stone bars to support the pole plates. Sandstones
were used at the right angles of the building. In
the walls in which bricks were laid vertically,
sandstones were inserted at equal intervals for
strengthening and longer durability. On the ceilings
of the circumambulating vaulted corridors are found
original paintings, ink inscriptions and the
horoscopes of certain personages.
Nearby Attractions
Upali Thein
The Upali Thein has a long
central nave with a ridge roof and a pair of side
aisles with lean-to roofs. Inside, there is an image
of the Buddha placed on a pedestal near the western
end. More>>
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