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It was destroyed in the earthquake of 1975, but the pagoda has been reconstructed in the shape ans the size of the original.
The pagoda has a bulbous dome rather similar to that of the Ngakywenadaung, convex band and crowned by a tapering finial hti (umbrella).
The Bupaya takes its name from the bu ou gourd, and tradition connects the Pagoda to the legend of Puysawhti. The date may be confirmed to be right tradition say after the pyu period votive tablet representing Avalokiteswar found from the depth of 16 feet which was dug for foundation for reconstruction when Bupaya collapsed after the earthquake.According to the legend, Pagan in the reign of his first king, Thamoddarit, was ravaged by Five Great Menaces - the Tiger, the Flying Squirrel, the Boar, the Bird and the Gourd Plant. The Gourd Plant has vines which spread out all over the land, vines which were so strong and tenacious that, when cut in the night, they sprouted in the morning, fresh and vigorous as ever. To the land of Pagan thus ravages came Puysawhti, born of the Sun line of kings, versed in the eighteen art by kings should know, and bearing a magic bow.
With his bow Puysawhti quelled the Five Great Menaces and gained the hand of the king's daughter. When in time Puysawhti became king, he built pagodas at each places where he had quelles the Five Great Menaces. And thus, Puysawhti came to build the Bupaya, in the shape of a gourd, where he has killes the Gourd Plant.
A number of other topographical features and monuments of pagan have been related the the legend of Puysawhti. Among these are Thamiwhet Umin, "Tunnel Where the Damsel Were Hidden", the place where Puysawhti hid the damsels who were to be offered to the Bird, the Hmyatha Umin, "Tunnel Where the Arrow Shafts Were Smoothed", the place where Puysawhti prepared his arrows to shot the Birds. |
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