Kyansittha U Min (ကျန်စစ်သားဥမင်)
Kyansittha U Min of the three Kyansittha U Mins located around Shwezigon Pagoda, the one mentioned here is on the west side. U Min means tunnel. It is constructed partly above ground and partly underground. Facing north, it used to have a Dhamma Sala (preaching hall) at its entrance. On the south, there are traces of the site of another Dhamma Sala. The base built of stone still remains there.
On the north there are an enclosure wall and an entrance. The walls of the U Min are adorned with ancient frescoes.
The frescoes present pictures of Spires, Mount Meru, a Mongol warrior and Commander, and depict a pageant with musical instruments proceeding to the Pagoda. There is on the ceiling of the northern entrance a picture of the monk Shin Upagutta taking meal.
In the middle of the U Min is a cellar around which circuits a corridor. There are small meditation cellars.
Unlike other U Mins which were carved into the sand stone hill, this U Min is built of brick.
An interesting feature of the paintings is the portrayal of Mongol soldiers, a memento of the Mongol invasion of Myanmar.
Mentioned by Marco Polo in one of the earliest Western accounts of Myanmar, the Mongol invasion was prompted by a Myanmar refusal to pay tribute and by raids on the border. The invasion, commanded by Yesu Timur, grandson of Kublai Khan, resulted in a Myanmar defeat at Ngasaunggyan near Bhamo in 1283 and the precipitate flight of King Narathihapate (1256-1287) from the royal city which led to the decline of Bagan.
Kyansittha Umin (Google Map)
Reference Books:
Glimpse of Glorious Bagan, Universities Historical Research Centre, Yangon, Myanmar, The University Press, 1996
Pictorial Guide to Pagan, Ministry of Culture, Yangon, Myanmar, The Printing and Publish Corporation, Reprint 1975
The Pagodas and Monuments of Bagan, Vol. 1, Translated by Dr Khin Maung Nyunt, Ministry of Information, Yangon, Myanmar, Graphic Training Centre (G.T.C), 1995
The Pagodas and Monuments of Bagan , Vol. 2, English Text by Dr Khin Maung Nyunt, Ministry of Information, Yangon, Myanmar, Graphic Training Centre (G.T.C), 1998
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