Thantawkya Buddha image located in old Bagan city of Bagan ancient cultural zone of Mandalay Region was constructed by King Narathihapate using pale green shale in 13th century (1284 AD).
The 19.5-ft-high Buddha image is just north of Thatbyinnyu Temple and King Narathihapate constructed the image in 1284 AD. The palace is located in the west and the temple faces west. It was called Thantawkya temple as it was constructed at a place where everybody could hear the yawning of the King in the palace.
The Thatbyinnyu Temple is located in the south of Thantawkya pagoda while Tabetkya pagoda and Pitaka chambers are in the east, Shwegugyi pagoda or NanU pagoda and Aungmyetha Palace site in the west and northwest.—Dipa Lin/KTZH
