A celestial blueprint in brick
The Htilominlo Temple is a sophisticated instrument for observing the sky, constructed from simple red brick. Built around 1218 CE by King Htilominlo, the temple's orientation is not accidental. Its architectural design aligns with solar events, a feature that shows the astronomical knowledge of its 13th-century builders. Archaeoastronomers have studied how specific windows and portals frame the rising sun on the summer and winter solstices, channeling light to illuminate interior Buddha statues in a calculated example of architecture and astronomy.
The temple stands approximately 46 meters (151 feet) tall and has a square base about 43 meters long on each side. The entire two-story structure is built primarily of red brick, a common material in Bagan architecture. Initially, the brickwork was covered in white stucco, which was then carved with elaborate moldings. Remnants of this fine plasterwork, depicting mythological creatures, are still visible today. To strengthen the massive brick construction, sandstone blocks were strategically used at corners and in load-bearing arches.