Myin Kabar Gu Byauk Gyi (Cave Pagoda or Love Temple)

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When we reached Myin Kabar Gubyaukgyi, I posed beside the marionette,  a puppet controlled from above using wires or strings depending on regional variations, which is very popular souvenir from Bagan. Given its wide availability, I guess, there is a marionette show somewhere which we were not able to catch.

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Another Gubyaukgyi temple with the same name as the one in Wetkyi Inn is actually located in Myin Kabar, a different village. This temple is also known as the “Love Temple” following to a popular father and son story. Actually, Gubyaukgyi is also famous for a stone inscription written by four languages, where the first Burmese writing is first seen in the history. The temple featured the first transition period with curvilinear roofs often characterized as Mon architecture. There beautiful plaster carvings on the exterior walls but it is best known for colorful mural painting in the interior walls as the name comes… the great painted cave. The temple is dated to 1113, the year King Kyansit passed away and his grandson Alaungsithu ascended the throne. (www.myanmartravels.net)
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This pagoda stands close to the western side of the Mya Zaydi Pagoda near Myin Ga Bar village. It was built AD 1113 Prince Yaza Kumaya. Myin Ga Bar Gubyaukgyi pagoda is noted for a variety of artworks which ornamented it. Architecturally it belonged to the early period of Bagan. It is interesting for the fine frescoes of scenes from the Jatakas. (www.myanmartravel-gng.com)

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According to U Bo Ni, our tour guide, the UNESCO spent for the preservation of the frescoes inside this pagoda sometime in the 1980's. Since this is a cave pagoda (I just learned now), the light is limited inside and they used a bulb with long electric line which the guide tag along with him as he circles the place. I believe this limited exposure from light has contributed greatly to the preservation of the frescoes. 

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Leading the troupe in the red and purple carpet is our tour guide U Bo Ni. 
U stands for Mr. It pays a lot to have a tour guide as we understood more the history
of the temple, which we otherwise, treat as all the same...

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