Nathlaung Kyaung Temple

The Nathlaung Kyaung Temple (Burmese: နတ်လှောင်ကျောင်း; pronounced [naʔl̥àun tɕáʊn]; literally "shrine confining the spirits") is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, located in Bagan, Burma. It is located west of the Thatbyinnyu Temple, and is the only remaining Hindu temple in Bagan. The temple is one of the oldest temples in Bagan, and was built in the 11th century, during the reign of King Anawratha. However, some historians believe the temple may have been built in the 10th century, during the reign of King Nyaung-u Sawrahan (also known as Taungthugyi). The temple was originally built for Hindu Burmese Indians, including merchants and Brahmins. Many structures of the original temple have disappeared, although the main hall remains. Originally, the temple contained statues of the 10 Avatars of Vishnu, including Gautama Buddha; however, today, only seven remain. The temple was isolated and unrepaired for many years, as it was not Buddhist in origin.

References

• Pictorial Guide to Pagan. Rangoon: Ministry of Culture. 1975 [1955]. 
• Fiala, Robert D. (2003). "Nathlaung Kyaung (c. 931)". Asian Historical Architecture. http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/myanmar/bagan/nathlaung.php. Retrieved 2006-08-12.