Magnificent Pagodas In Indein Village And Undiscovered Secrets In The Myanmar Jungle

Jan Bartek - AncientPages.com - The Great Sphinx of Giza, Machu Picchu, Stonehenge, Moai statues, Petra, Ephesus, and many, many other magnificent ancient sites can be added to the list worthy of admiration to anyone interested in ancient history.

We tend to admire what we can see, but some remarkable places are just as beautiful but virtually unheard of, and here is one such example.

Beautiful pagodas in Indein Village on Inle Lake, Myanmar. Credit: Glebstock - Adobe Stock

This place has not gone untouched by the influence of foreign tourism, which has its advantages and disadvantages.

In the small Indein village west of Inle Lake in Myanmar (Burma), there is an extraordinary complex of stunning ancient pagodas that vary in size and shape.

Known as the Shwe Inn Thein pagodas, these beautiful structures are believed to be a legacy of Ashoka, one of India's greatest emperors who ruled almost all of the Indian subcontinent from 268 to 232 B.C.

"From the Volga to Japan, his name is still honored. More living men cherish this memory today than have ever heard the names of Constantine or Charlemagne," H.G. Wells writes in the Outline of History. ¹

The early part of his reign was undoubtedly bloodthirsty, but after witnessing the mass deaths of the Kalinga War, Emperor Ashoka changed as a person and converted to Buddhism.

Emperor Ashoka's importance in the history of India is great, and his last words have been preserved on the Mansehra rock edicts.

According to ancient beliefs, the Shwe Inn Thein pagodas were commissioned by Emperor Ashoka, who sent out monks in the 3^rd century B.C. across Asia to spread Buddhism. Later they were renewed by King Anawrahta (1014 - 1077), the founder of the Pagan Empire and the father of the Burmese nation.

Buddha shrine inside one of the Shwe Inn Thein pagodas. Credit: Clay Gilliland - CC BY-SA 2.0

Historians say there is no archaeological evidence to support this claim and state the buildings were constructed during the reign of King Narapatisithu, (1138–1211), the last king of the Pagan dynasty of Burma (Myanmar).

One can say there is a dispute as to who ordered the building of the beautiful pagodas.

However, one cannot debate their location. The pagodas are hidden in the village of Indein, located about 8 kilometers West of the South tip of Inle Lake.

Some of the ancient pagodas have been restored, but far from all. Credit: Cezary Wojtkowski - Adobe Stock

It's a shame this ancient place is not a UNESCO site. A couple of the pagodas have been restored. Still, sadly many of them are in very poor condition, and it's most likely a matter of time before these historically precious buildings collapse.

Chintes often guard entrances to temples. Credit: Gerd Eichmann - CC BY-SA 4.0

On the pagodas, you can admire wonderful carvings and sculptures of celestial beings, peacocks, and the mysterious Nagas that are considered some of the "most intriguing beings we encounter in Hindu myths and legends. Known as the Serpent People they are said to live in two magnificent underground cities known as Patala and Bhogavati (literally "peopled by snakes" or "delightful")." 2

Standing in front of the pagodas are Chinthes, a pair of guardians of the holy place.

There are still many undiscovered pagodas in the Myanmar Jungle. Credit: Clay Gilliland - CC BY-SA 2.0

Thanks to Burmese donors, some pagodas have been restored in bright gold and white stucco finish, but how many more ancient buildings are still concealed in this region? Hidden in the thick jungle, hundreds of undiscovered, mysterious pagodas could remain unknown even to locals.

See also: Spectacular 2,500 Years Old Shwedagon Pagoda In Myanmar – World's Oldest Pagoda

Visiting this place can certainly be an Indiana Jones-like experience.

Updated on January 19, 2023

Written by Jan Bartek - AncientPages.com Staff Writer

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