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The two Petleik pagodas-the Ashe (Eastern) and Anauk (Western)-belong to the 11th century and have been assigned to the reign of Anawrahta (1044-1077). They are rather similar in form, but the Eastern pagoda is larger, in girth as well as in height. The name Petleik, “Rolled Leaves”, probably derives from the resemblance in shape of the dome and the finial to ear ornaments made of rolled gold laves.
Sama Jataka
The Western pagoda is better preserved and has a bell-shaped dome, with rings of moulding at the middle and towards the base. An unusual feature of the dome are the four deep niches at the cardinal points to house images of the Buddha. A damaged bowl-shaped disc rests on the dome in the Western pagoda, while in the Eastern pagoda a box-like relic chamber occupies the corresponding position. The finial which rises above is in the form of a truncated cone.
Originally, a vaulted corridor ran around the base of the pagoda, with an entrance chamber towards the east. The probable purpose was to provide protection for the unglazed plaques, portraying scenes of the Jatakas, which decorated the base. Glazed plaques were later developed which could be displayed externally without such protection, but the unglazed plaques of the Petleik pagodas show greater perfection of detail than the later, glazed ones. Both series of Jataka plaques were originally complete, but many are now missing and some are broken into fragments.
Kayachanda Jataka
Reference
1. Glimpses of Glorious Bagan, Jan 1996, by The Universities Historical Research Centre |
