The Tharabha Gate or Sarabha or Tharabar is the only surviving gate in the city of Bagan. It was made to protect the city from invaders. Out of the 12 gates made, one for each zodiac sign, only this one remains along with some part of wall. It is said that King Pyinbya in 849 fortified the city of Bagan.
The radiocarbon dating says it to be around 1020.
Shwegugyi, Gawdawpalin, Thatbinnyu, Buphaya, Nathalaunga, Mahabodhi are some of the important temples within the city wall.
The name of the gate was originally Sarabhanga, composed to two words, Sara and bhanga. There are many meanings of Sara one being an arrow, bhanga which means destroy. Overtime, it started to be known as Tharabha, Sarabha.
The legend of this brother and sister says that Maung Tint De was the son of a blacksmith, U Tint Daw. He was very strong and the ruling King of Tagaung was worried lest he takes over his throne. Maung Tint De went into hiding. The king in order to take him out of hiding, married his sister, Saw Me Ya also called Myat Hla.
He asked Saw Me Ya to ask his brother to come out so that he could be offered a high postion. When Maung Tint De came out, the king captured him, tied him to a tree and burnt him alive. When the sister saw this, she too burnt herself along with his brother. The brother and sister became evil Nats. When the king came to know, he cut the tree and threw it in Irrawady. It floated and came to the Kingdom of Bagan, where the Nats appeared in the dreams of then ruling king, King Thinligyaung. The Nats told him that if given a place they would guard the city. The King had the tree trunk cut into two, carved them out in human faces and placed them in Mount Popa (the home of Nats). After that, Maung Tint De got the name as Min Mahagiri or "Lord of the Great Mountain".
Every year, in the month of November-December, the Kings of Bagan climbed Mount Popa to pay respects to these Nats.
They were also enshrined on either side of Tharabha Gate. Maung Tint De on right side and his sister, Shwe Myet Hna on left.
The radiocarbon dating says it to be around 1020.
Shwegugyi, Gawdawpalin, Thatbinnyu, Buphaya, Nathalaunga, Mahabodhi are some of the important temples within the city wall.
The name of the gate was originally Sarabhanga, composed to two words, Sara and bhanga. There are many meanings of Sara one being an arrow, bhanga which means destroy. Overtime, it started to be known as Tharabha, Sarabha.
Bagan Golden Palace just behind the city wall
surviving city wall
Tharabha gate
view of wall
surviving wall
a part of stucco work
Gate guarded by Nat spirits on either side
Legend of Tharabha gate:The legend of this brother and sister says that Maung Tint De was the son of a blacksmith, U Tint Daw. He was very strong and the ruling King of Tagaung was worried lest he takes over his throne. Maung Tint De went into hiding. The king in order to take him out of hiding, married his sister, Saw Me Ya also called Myat Hla.
He asked Saw Me Ya to ask his brother to come out so that he could be offered a high postion. When Maung Tint De came out, the king captured him, tied him to a tree and burnt him alive. When the sister saw this, she too burnt herself along with his brother. The brother and sister became evil Nats. When the king came to know, he cut the tree and threw it in Irrawady. It floated and came to the Kingdom of Bagan, where the Nats appeared in the dreams of then ruling king, King Thinligyaung. The Nats told him that if given a place they would guard the city. The King had the tree trunk cut into two, carved them out in human faces and placed them in Mount Popa (the home of Nats). After that, Maung Tint De got the name as Min Mahagiri or "Lord of the Great Mountain".
Every year, in the month of November-December, the Kings of Bagan climbed Mount Popa to pay respects to these Nats.
They were also enshrined on either side of Tharabha Gate. Maung Tint De on right side and his sister, Shwe Myet Hna on left.
guardian on left
On the right is the brother, Maung Tint De or Min Mahagiri, "Lord of the Great Mountains"
On the left is the sister, Saw Me Ya(Shwe Myet hna), "Golden face"
moat and the city wall
A part of city wall is said to be washed away by the river.
city wall on other side of road
city wall on both sides near Thatbyinnyu temple
Very detailed, many thanks
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