[2025 Nyaung-U Attraction] Travel Guide for Manuha Temple (Updated Jun)

#springitinerary Nestled in the quiet village of Myinkaba, just south of Bagan, Manuha Phaya (or Manuha Temple) is a site of deep emotion and symbolism. Built by a captive king with a poignant story, this temple stands out not for its size or grandeur, but for the powerful message it conveys through its design. 🕰️ A King’s Temple in Exile Built in 1067 AD by King Manuha, the former ruler of the Mon kingdom of Thaton. After being captured by King Anawrahta of Bagan, Manuha was brought to Bagan and kept under house arrest. As a captive, he used his resources to build this temple — expressing his suffering and devotion through its unique design. ✨ What Makes It Special The temple houses three massive seated Buddha statues and one reclining Buddha, all within tight, confined spaces. The claustrophobic layout reflects Manuha’s own feeling of confinement and yearning for spiritual liberation. The reclining Buddha represents the Buddha’s Parinirvana (final passing into Nirvana) — often interpreted as Manuha’s wish for release from suffering. 🧱 A Simple Yet Powerful Structure Rectangular in shape, with a Mon-style design. The whitewashed exterior is modest, but the emotional impact of the interior is unforgettable. It’s one of the oldest temples in the Bagan area still standing and regularly used for worship. 📍 How to Visit Location: Myinkaba Village, near Gubyaukgyi Temple Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM Entrance Fee: Included in the Bagan Archaeological Zone ticket. ⛅ Best Time to Visit Visit in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid heat and crowds. Ideal for travelers interested in personal stories and emotional symbolism rather than just architecture. A Temple That Speaks the Heart Manuha Phaya is unlike any other in Bagan. It's not just a monument of devotion — it's a cry for freedom, a king’s spiritual diary carved in stone. Quiet yet intense, it’s a moving experience that stays with you long after your visit. #ManuhaPhaya #BaganTemples #KingManuha #MyanmarHistory #EmotionalArchitecture #BuddhistSymbolism #MyinkabaVillage #BaganTravel #HiddenGemsMyanmar #SpiritualJourney

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We were surprised by this place with the big bowl where devotees put in money and rice where donated. Quite charming. And apparently very popular among thr locals. We met a full company of soldiers that together with their leading officer (of cause properly videodocumented ) paid their respect to buddha. Interesting temple and worth a visit. #wintergetaway #wintergetaway

The Manuha Temple was built by the king of the Bagan dynasty and is one of the most important temples in Bagan. As a imprisoned king, it is also possible to build a temple named after himself, which has to be said to be both surprising and curious. Manuha Temple is a small temple, but the incense is very prosperous. There are three large Buddha statues, one reclining Buddha, two sitting Buddhas, and huge Buddha statues. People need to look up, especially the one. The reclining Buddha almost fills the entire space, so that your passage in the brick wall can only pass sideways. That kind of huge squeaky feeling is easy to think of a depressed mood in the heart of the prince who built the tower. And such congestion is presumably because the funds were insufficient when the temple was built, and this very "grievance" temple was built. This seemingly modern temple has a history of nearly a thousand years. Due to the roadside, there are a lot of people here. Domestic tourists and tourists from other places like to go in and out, especially some locals. The children, who love to play in it, those little energetic figures add vitality to the ancient temples and drive away the boring.

Manuha Paya was built by the princes who were taken hostage by the Bagan dynasty. It is one of the most important temples in Bagan. The most memorable ones are three huge Buddha statues (one reclining Buddha, two Sitting Buddha, especially the Reclining Buddha. This huge reclining Buddha has a very unique personality. There is no place for the Buddha in the brick wall except for a reclining Buddha. The tourists can only walk sideways. A huge sense of rush is on the way, so people can imagine the repair tower. The prince is a depressed mood. And the smile of the corner of the Buddha's mouth seems to be the freedom that the prince wants. If you follow the towers to trace the past, you can see the back of a dynasty, and what kind of iron horses and swords are behind the towers.