Shitthaung Temple

Shitthaung Temple

                           

           

Shitthaung Temple is one of the most interesting pagoda of Mrauk U. The temple was built by king Minbargyi  to commemorate his conquest of Bengal in 1535-1536. It is located on the western face of Phokhoung Hill and about the half mile to the north of the Royal Palace. It is believe that 84,000 of Buddha images are enshrined in it, so that it was called Shitthaung.

            It is typical of the many Buddhist temples found in Myanmar. The whole temple is made of sandstone. At the east of the temple, there is an addition of new tazaung/vestibule and long stair about 75 years old. There is a central bell shape stupa surrounded by four smaller stupa at the corner of the roof of the temple. Moreover, a group of smaller stupas are surrounding them. So rain water quickly fall down to the ground.

              

            It has amazing plan. There is a central hall at the heart of the temple, which can be easily access from the vestibule. Hundreds of Buddha status line in the main hall/vestibule. Some of them laid their original positions, and other moved from near excavation sites. The Shitthaung’s most famous character is three layers of maze-like corridors that encircle the main hall. The three corridors contain countless of Buddha’s images, Devas, Guardian spirits and Arankanese culture, animals both real and mythical.

Inner corridor is more narrower than two outer corridors. At the end of the inner corridors, there is a small chamber especially for meditation of king and queen. The real purpose of the pagoda was for prayer. Some of the king’s ceremonies were usually held secretly. At the back of the temple, there are one open hall and a small room for important

                It was constructed six feet thick of solid sandstone and like rock cave tunnel. No mortar was used in the construction. The roof of temple have been damaged by monsoon rain. To prevent this, the local archaeological department hastily poured concrete over the temple. This prevented the statues inside from being destroyed, but it also destroyed the outer appearance of the temple.

            We should protect the ancient style of the whole temple. Shitthaung’s festival is always held at the end of the April or at the fist of the March. It is the heart of Rakhine People.