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Nyaung-U, Bagan, Mandalay Region · 21.1961°, 94.8940°
The prototype of the Burmese stupa — the gilded bell whose form Shwedagon and a thousand others follow — built by Anawrahta, unifier of Burma and champion of Theravada. Crucially, he installed images of the 37 nats (spirits) here, absorbing the old animism into the new faith: the compact that still defines Burmese religion.
What follows is the temple’s own traditional account, transmitted through liturgy and local memory. It is recorded here as tradition, not as attested history.
The site chose itself: a white elephant bearing the frontal-bone relic was set loose, and where it knelt the stupa rose — 'Shwezigon', golden hill of victory sand, where relic, kingship and the tamed nats met.
coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-26 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Pagan
Answers only from cited records
Opening the line…