ArchitectureMahabodhi

As this temple is the imitation of the great temple at Bodhgaya, the plan is also laid in accordance with the prototype. The plan of Mahabodhi was designed in the two-chambered scheme with the front room for the Buddha image and the rear one for the Bodhi tree. The body of the temple is designed in the form of Jagatī platform supporting quincunx Śikhara temples which is called in Indian term as Pañcāyatana scheme. The Śikhasra spire is designed with trapezoid contour, similar to Bodhgaya’s Śikhara in Indian art. This uniqueness attests the attempt of the replication of Bodhagaya temple in India. The spire of Mahabodhi at Pagan, therefore is totally different from the normal curvilinear-contoured Śikhara in other Pagan temple.