Dukkanthein
Dukkanthein also called as Htukanthein or
Htoekanthein, stands on a hill which is about 30
feet in height. Its structure is like a flat surface
in the form of a drum. King Minphalaung built the
pagoda in 1571 A.D.
Structure
Like most of the ancient monuments in Mrauk U,
Dukkanthein was built with sandstones and layers of
bricks over the roof. The measurement of the temple
is 190 feet from north to south and 200 feet from
east to west. It has stone stairways about 8 inches
broad in the east and south sides. These stairways
measuring 106 feet are built of massive stonewall on
the north, east and south. The west one which is
slightly convex is connected to an oblong chamber.
The pagoda entrance on the east side, closer to
the south-east corner, leads to a long vaulted
passage which spirals up in two tiers till it
reaches the central chamber. The superstructure, a
bell-shaped dome on receding terraces, is similar to
the one on Shitthaung, but here a tall square arch
is provided on the east side to admit light into the
central chamber. The inner chambers and passages of
the temple are constructed with well fitting and
cemented stones. The pagoda is well-known for the
stone sculptures in the vaulted passages,
especially the figures of seated ladies, with
different styles of coiffure, in the manner of
offering lotus buds to the Buddha. Traditionally it
is said that there are sixty-four kinds of hairstyle
and all the figures are of the wives of noblemen.
Besides, on both sides of the entire passage, niches
of 1½ feet broad, 1 foot deep, and 2 feet high are
dug at regular intervals of 20 feet in the wall and
each contains a stone image of the Buddha in sitting
posture. There are one hundred and forty-six niches
along the passage.
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