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It lies about a furlong east of Three Pagodas. Under the reign of King Narathihapate, there was a cave occupied by a hermit named Ananda Pyinnya at the place. According to an inscription in the cave, the pagoda was built in 1824 by order of the king.
It was named after the hermit but with the passage of time it became Nanda Manya. It is 30 feet high, built on a brick base. Plaster art works have suffered the ravages of time. Bagan Period ink drawings on walls and arches were still visible. Floral designs and murals depicting the birth of Buddha were still in the fine state.
The temptation by Mara's daughters
The pagoda is like an art exhibition of Bagan Period.
Like the Ananda, the Nandamannya derives its name from one of the attributes of the Buddha, his Infinite Wisdom Anandapyinnya in Myanmar Language, Anantapanna in Pali.
A small vaulted temple built on the order of King Kyazwa (1235-1249?) in 1248, the Nandamannya has a porch and entrance in the east, and is surmounted by receding terraces and a stupa. The temple does not appear very distinguished, and the image of the Buddha inside is much damaged. But the Nandamannya is worthy of attention because of the paintings which embellish its walls. In the profusion of scrolls, decorative designs and various figures are large panels depicting the Final Life of Gotama Buddha-scenes such as the Nativity, with Prince Siddhattha emerging from the right hip of his mother, Queen Maya; the Tonsure, with the Buddha cutting off his hair in renunciation of the world; the Twin Miracles, in which flames arise from the shoulders of the Buddha and water pours from his feet, while a number of images of himself appear in the sky. Of some interest too is a rectangular panel on the western side showing a procession of scantily clad women in a variety of postures. They seem incongruous in these surroundings, but most probably the scene represents the Temptation of Buddha by the daughters of Mara, the Evil One.
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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