Gawdawpalin Temple

Second-largest temple in Bagan, severely damaged in 1975 earthquake

The Gawdawpalin is the second-largest temple in Bagan, a massive two-storey structure built by King Narapatisithu in the late 12th century and expanded by his successors. The name means "platform for paying royal homage" — the kings of Bagan would hold ceremonies here to receive tribute from vassal states.

The temple was heavily damaged by the 1975 earthquake and subsequently rebuilt, which gives it a newer appearance than many of its contemporaries. Despite this, the interior is worth exploring: the shrines contain large Buddha images, and the upper corridors offer some of the better interior views of any temple in Old Bagan.

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A story
The 1975 earthquake that struck the Bagan plain measured 6.5 on the Richter scale and collapsed or damaged over 1,000 of the remaining temples. The Gawdawpalin was among the worst affected — its upper stories came down entirely. UNESCO and the Burmese government undertook a controversial restoration using modern concrete, which archaeologists criticised at the time. The result is solid but not always historically accurate.

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