Htilominlo Temple - Bagan

One of my most important plans of this trip was to also visit Bagan (Pagan)  the land that has over 2.000 Pagodas and Temples.

So after seeing some of high importance sites at Yangon I left and headed towards upper Myanmar .

It is a place that you can visit Bagan all year round as there is no actual rainy Season like in the lower parts of Myanmar, therefore we called it Sommer Season.

Arriving there I left all things at my hotel that was located almost inside the Old Bagan and was called "Bagan Hotel" .

I  rented a bicycle and a map of the old towns Temple sites  toke my camera and left to go for my first ride around Old Bagan.

Bagan is quite possibly the greatest place I've ever been.

Almost 1500 years ago, a magnificent city of temples was built out of brick and stone in central Myanmar. 

The kilns firing the brick required so much wood to burn, the land became arid and barren, stripped of it's trees, and the city was eventually abandoned before it was ever finished. 

Now-days the trees have returned and nearly 3,000 temples, chedis and stupas survive, some ruined, some active. 

From the tops of the temples, looking across this vast green field, you can see nearly every one. As the setting sun falls over Bagan, you find yourself in the most perfect place this world can offer.

 

First Temple to visit : 

"Htilominlo" 

Cycling at Old Bagan is not hard at all.

There is not much traffic and the are only straight roads and streets no up, nor down.

After a great ride in the quiet streets of the Old City I arrived.

 

 

This large temple was built by King Nantaungmya in 1218 AD. 

"Htilominlo" comes from the Mon words "Tri Lawka Mingalar", 

which means : 

"The most prestigious place among the three phases".

  Nantaungmya erected the temple on this spot because it was here that he was chosen, from among five brothers, to be the crown prince. 

The legendary saying is that, the five princes were standing in a circle and the white umbrella in the middle. The white umbrella would bend to the prince to become king and he was chosen.

Htilomino Temple is one of the largest temples of Bagan and is noted for its fine plaster carvings.

The temple is three stories tall, with a height of 46 metres (150 ft), and built with red brick. 

It is also known for its elaborate plaster moldings. 

On the first floor of the temple, there are four Buddhas that face each direction.

 

 

 

 

 

The temple was damaged in the 1975 earthquake and subsequently repaired between 1976-1979. 

 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.

The visit at this Temple is a good start for getting in the mood in what you will see visiting the rest of Bagan.

Superb view and amazing architecture.

And if you manage to stay long enough to see sunset... then you are lucky cause it is one of the most priceless experiences one can have.