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ArchitectureInterior circumambulatory path of Ananda
The inner circumambulatory paths of Ananda are double in number surrounding the central solid core and the sanctums of the temple. There are also numerous sculptures embedded in the wall of the ambulatory path depicting the life of the Buddha. These sculptures are meant for educating the devotees while ambulating around the temple. The arch of the roof supports the sloping roof of the temple. This kind of inner circumambulatory path can be traced back to Pāla temples, including Paharpur and Vikramshila.
ArchitectureKyubyauk Gyi at Myinkaba
Temple of Early Pagan art is normally squat in shape. The windows here are closed by the screens which make the interior ambulatory path and the sanctum very dim. The short leafs at the pediment edge and the prominent sloping roofs are the characteristics of the period. Shikhara with the column of niches in the central offset bears the style similar to that of other temple of contemporaneous period, including Nagayon and Ananda.
ArchitectureThat Binyu
That Binyu is the first double-storeyed temple in Pagan art. The upper storey is supported by the massive solid core hidden inside the lower storey. The plan of both storeys is in sanctum-and-front-hall scheme. This kind of temple would be very popular during the late period of Pagan art and That Binyu seems to be the prototype of the later double-storeyed temple including Sulamani and Htilominlo.
ArchitectureShwegugyi
Shwegugyi is considered to be the example of the transition period, between the tradition of the dim and the bright interior. The windows of this temple become fully-opened without any lattice allowing the light to penetrate inside the temple. The door at the centre of the body also allows the brightness light to penetrate into the interior. The roof is devoid of sloping roof but it is now designed in the form of the stepped pyramidal roof. These characters anticipate the later style of the temple in Late Pagan art.
ArchitectureDhammayangyi
Dhammayangyi is obviously the copy of Ananda. The temple is laid in cruciform plan and the roof is sloping. Inside the temple, there are four Maṇḍapa and the circumambulatory path. As these characters are closely similar to Ananda, this temple seems to be the copy of Ananda. However, the innermost circumambulatory path has been filled up with brick to strengthen the structure of the temple. This strengthening seems to be one of the evidences of the architectural modification.
ArchitectureSulamani
Sulamani seems to be the most magnificent two-storeyed temple in Pagan art. The temple comprises the lower and the upper tiers. The lower tier composes of the massive solid core for supporting the upper tier. The upper storey is planned in sanctum-and-front-hall scheme. The spire is in the Śikhara pattern. Two-storeyed Ku seems to be unique for the Late Pagan art as the tradition has been limited only during this period, from That-Binyu (during the reign of Alaungsitthu) to Htilominlo (during the reign of Nantaungmya).
ArchitectureSapada
Sapada is the example of the combination between Sri Lankan styled and Burmese styled Stupa. Whereas the base is decorated with small square panels following the Burmese convention, the plan of this stupa is circular and devoid of staircase as well as devoid of the upper circumambulatory path following Sri Lankan tradition. The Aṇḍa of this stupa is hemispheric and the square Harmikā is also provided on the top of Aṇḍa. These Aṇḍa and Harmikā characters also follow the Sri Lankan convention.
ArchitectureDhammayazika Zedi
Dhammayazika Zedi is extraordinary because the triple base of the stupa is in pentagonal plan. This base is, as usual, decorated with terracotta plaques depicting Jātakas. The staircase, the circumambulatory paths as well as the corner miniature stupas are also provided as usual. The bell-shaped element is decorated with the central band and the triangular pattern. The Harmikā is omitted as normal in Burmese art and the spire is also of normal Burmese convention. The most striking character of this Stupa is the pentagonal base and the attachment of five temples enshrining five Buddha in this Bhadra Aeon. This stupa is therefore connectible with the previous, the present and the future Buddhas. Significantly, this stupa is the only specimen of the pentagonal Zedi in Pagan art.
