Country Burma Date established 10th-11th century Primary deity Vishnu | State/province Mandalay Region Locale Bagan | |
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Similar Pahto‑thamya, Gawdawpalin Temple, Shwegugyi Temple, Thatbyinnyu Temple, Bupaya Pagoda | ||
The Nathlaung Kyaung Temple (Sanskrit: नथ्लौन्ग क्यौन्ग, Burmese: နတ်လှောင်ကျောင်း [naʔl̥àʊɴ tɕáʊn]; literally "shrine confining the spirits") is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu. The temple is located inside the city walls of old Bagan, Burma (Coordinates: 21.168965° N, 94.862738° E).
Nathlaung Kyaung Temple is to the west of the Thatbyinnyu Temple, and it is the only remaining Hindu temple in Bagan. Nat-Hlaung Kyaung temple is one of the oldest temples in Bagan, and was built in the 11th century, during the reign of King Anawratha. Some historians believe the temple was built in the 10th century, during the reign of King Nyaung-u Sawrahan (also known as Taungthugyi). The temple was originally built for Hindu Burmese Indians of the 11th century, including merchants and Brahmins in the service of the king. Many structures of the original temple have disappeared, although the main hall remains. Originally, the temple contained statues of the 10 Avatars of Vishnu, including Gautama Buddha; however, today, only seven remain. The brick temple was isolated and unrepaired for many years, damaged by earthquakes.
The temple is set on a square template with steep-rising upper terraces. It may have been built by Indian artisans brought into Bagan (Pagan), during the 10th century AD, to work on it and other temples. As the oldest temple in Bagan, its style influenced and inspired the numerous other Buddhist structures that followed. Another legend states that the temple was built to store all the nat from other temples, so that Buddhism could get established in Bagan kingdom.