Man Aung Myin Pagoda

Why did King Sanda Thudhamma Yaza and Queen Yadana Piya Dewi choose an octagonal shape for the Man Aung Myin Pagoda? We stand before the Man Aung Myin Pagoda, also known as Yadanar Man Aung Pagoda. It’s a fascinating structure built in 1658, just east of the Yadanarpon Pagoda. The pagoda’s unique octagonal shape sets it apart. It stands tall at 180 feet high and 54 feet wide. In the northwest corner lies a hidden gem: a white cave measuring 54 feet long, 13 feet wide, and 10 feet high. Man Aung Myin Pagoda holds a special place as one of the five most venerable “Man” payas of Mrauk U. The others are Lawka Man Aung, Zeenat Man Aung, Sakkya Man Aung, and Mingalar Man Aung. Surrounding the main pagoda are seventeen smaller pagodas called Ayan Zedi. Each one was donated by kings, queens, and other royal families of the Mrauk U Dynasty. The pagoda itself was built to honor the royal family. The main pagoda’s roundish base rises to an impressive 200 feet. It’s believed that the Man Aung Myin Pagoda was built to secure both earthly and heavenly treasures. While the pagoda suffered damage during World War II, it has been carefully renovated. The restoration honors the original structure. Stone lions guard the entrance, adding to the mystique of this revered site. The Man Aung Myin Pagoda stands as a testament to the rich history and royal heritage of Myanmar.