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It was built in early Bagan period, about three furlongs from Myin Kaba Village, opposite of Apaiyadana Phaya. It was styled like Ananda Phaya in sloped roofs, corner stupas and upper parts. At the centre is a statue of Buddha in standing mudra, shaded at top by the hood of a serpent.
It was said to be built by King Kyansittha to mark the place where he was safeguarded by a serpent as he fell asleep while on the run from the danger of King Sawlu. It still has Bagan period sculptures, and works of art still in their original artistry. The Nagayon, built by King Kyansittha (1084-1113), foreshadows his crowning achievement, the Ananda. There are the same sloping roofs, the same terraces, the same corner stupas, the same spire and the same stupa finial. But they are here used in a much more subdued manner than in the Ananda.
A portico in the north, paved with green glazed stones and having niches holding stone reliefs of the life of the Buddha, provides access to the Nagayon. Within the temple itself, the central shrine contains a huge standing image of the Buddha protected by the hood of a naga serpent. Two smaller images flank the main one. A corridor, also paved with green glazed stones, runs around the central shrine. Dim light comes in through the perforated windows of the outer walls. The walls of the corridor have niches holding stone sculptures depicting the Buddhas previous to Gotama, as well as paintings showing scenes form the Jatakas and the Final Life of Gotama Buddha, with legends in Mon and Pali. According to tradition, the name of the temple-Nagayon, meaning “Protected by the Naga Serpent”- derives from an incident in Kyansittha’s life. Once, when he was fleeing from the wrath of his predecessor, King Sawlu (1077-1084), he was watched over by a young naga while he slept. The place then became the site of the Nagayon. The naga, a serpent, sometimes human in form, is a part of the Buddhist tradition, a notable instance being the protection given to the Buddha by the Naga king Mucalinda during the seven days of a violent storm. Myanmar tradition also abounds with such accounts as a naga taking part in the foundation of Thayekhittaya, a naga princess becoming the queen of Pyusawhti, and a naga image made and worshipped by King Sawrahan. An inscription also records that Kyansittha made an offering to the naga in the building of his palace. Reference
1. Ancient Pagodas in Myanmar Vol I , Jan 2003, by Myat Min Hlaing 2. Glimpses of Glorious Bagan, Jan 1996, by The Universities Historical Research Centre
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