| Registration Classification | cultural heritage |
| Registration Criteria | (3), (4), (6) |
| Year of registration | 2019 |
Bagan, one of the world’s three major Buddhist sites in central Myanmar, was the capital of the Pagan dynasty from the 11th to 13th centuries. More than 3,000 chedi（pagodas） remain here, evidence of the strong influence of Buddhism in the country. The site consists of eight heritage sites, including pagodas, temples, monasteries, pilgrim facilities, frescoes, sculptures, and ruins.
Here, a World Heritage enthusiast explains why Bagan is a World Heritage Site in an easy-to-understand manner.Read this and you will definitely learn more about Bagan!
What is Bagan?
Bagan is a Buddhist site located in the Mandalay region where Naypyidaw, the capital of Myanmar, is located.It is a Buddhist architectural complex of more than 3,000 stupas and is considered one of the world’s three major Buddhist monuments, along with Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Borobudur in Indonesia. This site was the capital of the Pagan dynasty that flourished from the 11th to 13th centuries, a state that controlled the transportation of the Irrawaddy River and ruled over a vast area through its monopoly on water transportation.
The first king of the Pagan dynasty, Anoyatha (1044-1077), designated Theravada Buddhism as the state religion, and in the 13th century, Buddhism reached its peak and many chedis were built.The fact that so many chedis were built is evidence that the Pagan dynasty controlled the country through Buddhism.
The vast site, covering more than 50 square kilometers, with many chedis, is located on the east side of the Irrawaddy River. The ruins consist mainly of eight heritage sites, and are characterized by a wide range of chedis, temples, monasteries, pilgrim facilities, frescoes, sculptures, and ruins, etc. Although the Pagan dynasty declined and fell in the 13th century, the site is also valued for its still existing as a sacred place for Theravada Buddhism, where people still pray.
Main registered components
Ananda Temple
The Theravada Buddhist temple built in 1090.Built by the third King Kyansittha (1030-1113), it is famous as the most beautifully decorated temple in Bagan. Inside the temple, Buddha images are placed in each direction, east, west, north, south, and west, and all of them are decorated with gold and are gorgeous.
Shwezigon Pagoda
Famous for its golden pagoda, its construction began in 1059-1060 by the first King Anawrahta and was completed in 1102. The area is prone to earthquakes, and the pagoda collapsed many times, and each time it was repaired. The same is true of this pagoda, which was last extensively restored at the end of the 18th century. This pagoda is so important that its style became the prototype for the Burmese style pagodas.
Shwesandar Pagoda
The chedi was built in 1057 by the first Anoyata.It is approximately 100 meters high, and the tower is decorated with terra cotta paintings of the Jataka, the story of the Buddha before he was born.
For what reason is Bagan on the World Heritage List?
Bagan (Pagan) was recognized for
Registration Criteria (iii)
The point is that Bagan is a sacred Buddhist site and evidence of its prosperity as the capital of the Pagan dynasty from the 11th to 13th centuries.
Registration Criteria (iv)
That Bagan was one of the earliest Buddhist dynasties established in the world, and that it is superior and unique compared to Buddhist architecture found throughout Asia.
Registration Criteria (vi)
That the stupas and monasteries have been preserved by the people who live here and that the Theravada Buddhist faith is still alive and well.
Conclusions and Impressions of a World Heritage Maniac
Bagan is a Buddhist site that shows the prosperity of the Bagan dynasty, which flourished from the 11th to 13th century. Because the country was controlled by Buddhism, the site is dotted with over 3,000 chedis, a unique landscape not seen in other Buddhist architecture in Asia. Another important point is that despite the earthquake-prone area, people have continued to use the pagodas while repairing them, and they are still maintained as sacred sites.
Note that the word “pagoda” is just what foreigners call it on their own, and is not understood at all locally.Incidentally, building pagodas is considered the “greatest merit” for the people of Myanmar.
*The contents here are considerations derived from research by World Heritage enthusiasts.As for the data, interpretation differs depending on the medium.
