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  Kyaukgu Umin Phaya

 

Myanmar

Kyaukgu Umin Phaya, i.e. ‘Stone Cave Tunnel Pagoda’, is a 12th century AD Buddhist temple near the villages of Nyaung U and Wetkyi-in, that has been built into the cliff side of a ravine (fig.).

 

It consists of a large square hall of which the roof and the terraces above are supported by two giant arches, and which houses a large gilded Buddha image seated on a lotus throne in the bhumisparsa pose.

 

  Kyaukgu Umin Phaya

 

  Kyaukgu Umin Phaya

The walls of this hall have three storeys of niches that house smaller Buddha statues in various poses and mudras.

 

On either side of the large Buddha image are doorways that lead into a network of tunnels that run deep into the hill. Inside those tunnels are several niches and smaller caves, that are used for prayer and meditation.

THAILAND'S NEIGHBOURS & BEYOND MAP LOCATION DIRECTIONS

  Kyaukgu Umin Phaya