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Sulamani Temple, Bagan, Myanmar by Jakub HaÅ‚un –

Top 10 Historical Facts about Sulamani Temple

The Sulamani Temple is a Buddhist temple located in the village of Minnanthu, southwest of Bagan in Burma. The temple is one of the most frequently visited in Bagan.

The Zamani Project from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, offered its services towards the spatial documentation of monuments in Bagan in response to the destruction of monuments by an earthquake in August 2016. 

After a reconnaissance visit to Bagan and a subsequent meeting at the UNESCO offices in Bangkok in February 2017, the Zamani Project documented the Sulamani Temple, during a field campaign in March 2017.

Let’s look at some historical facts about Sulamani Temple.

1. Sulamani Temple is one of the last large temples built in the Bagan period

The temple consists of two stories,  with a square layout and porches on all four sides. The eastern porch protrudes farther than the others. 

The construction style is very similar to that of Thatbyinnyu, Gawdaw Palin, and Htilominlo. However, the Sulamani temple is more sophisticated than Htilominlo and Gawdaw Palin temples. It also shows influence from the Dhammayan Gyi Temple.

2. The Sulamani Temple was built during the reign of King Narapatisithu

Sulamani Temple, Bagan, Myanmar by Grayswoodsurrey –

It was built in 1183 by King Narapatisithu and is similar to the Thatbyinnyu Temple in design. The Sulamani Temple also shows influence from the Dhammayangyi Temple and was the model for the Htilominlo Temple.

This was a very prosperous time in Bagan. During his long reign, several of Bagan’s most impressive monuments were built, such as the Dhammayazika and the Gawdawpalin temple.

3.  The Sulamani Temple’s name means small ruby

An inscribed stone on the North porch of the temple tells that King Narapatisithu found a small ruby at the spot where the Sulamani temple was later erected, hence the name of the temple, which means small ruby.

4. The Sulamani Temple reveals Bagan’s finest ornamental work 

Sulamani temple, Bagan, Myanmar by Gerd Eichmann –

The temple is impressive and massive in structure. Its entrance was decorated with superb architectural works of art. Frescoes and murals dating from the 12th to 19th centuries can be seen on the walls of the temple as interior decoration. Those on the south side depict the life of people in 18th century Bagan. 

5. The ground floor of the Sulamani Temple contains Buddha images 

The life of the Buddha and various mythological animals, like dragons, are also depicted on the wall.

These include carved stucco on mouldings, pediments, and pilasters which are still in good condition. The ground floor contains images of Buddha on each of its four sides. The niches in the wall of the corridors surrounding the cubes of the lower and upper floor houses seated images of Buddha placed on pedestals.

6. The Sulamani Temple has been refurbished many times

Sulamani temple, Bagan, Myanmar by Gerd Eichmann –

From the time of its construction until today, the temple has been refurbished many times. The first renovation work took place in the 14th century after the capital relocated from Bagan to Inwa. 

After the 1975 earthquake, some parts of the temple were damaged. It was restored in the same year and finally, in 1994 the temple was again renovated. Although most of the original painting from the 12th century is gone, 40 percent remains on the main vaulted ceiling today.

7. The Sulamani Temple complex originally housed a number of other buildings

The building included an ordination hall, a library where the Buddhist scriptures were kept and monks living quarters. The remains of the Sulamani Kyaung, the monastery building are still visible within the walled area.

The grounds are encircled by a wall with a large arched gateway topped with a small circular stupa on each side.

8. The Sulamani Temple has 547 Jakata tales plaques

Sulamani Temple by Arian Zwegers –

The Sulamani’s base and terraces contain beautifully glazed terracotta plaques with depictions of Jataka tales, the stories about the previous lives of the Buddha. 

It was customary for the most important and largest temples in Bagan to have a set of plaques with Jataka tales, of which there are 547 in total, in order to educate the people about Buddhism.

9. The  Sulamani Temple is one of the most-frequently visited in Bagan

Government officers, tourism business operators, and local people in Bagan have limited awareness of the importance of conserving Bagan’s heritage, beautification of tourist sites, and hospitality for tourists. 

Public awareness activities are done in order to sustainably manage and create a better environment for Bagan as a tourist destination. Activities such as; Public Awareness Seminar, Mini Public Awareness Worskhop, and Cleaning Campaigns were conducted in Bagan. These activities are aimed to help people in Bagan understand the importance of working and living in a tourist destination and encourage them to conduct public awareness activities by themselves.

10. The Sulamani Temple has entrance porches on all four sides

The architectural style has many similarities with that of the Htilominlo temple, which was built a few decades later. 

The temple has entrance porches on all four sides. The Eastern porch which is the main entrance protrudes further out from the structure than the others. Apart from this, the structure is symmetrical.