The Sacred Light of Bagan: An Investigation of Natural Light at Two Ancient Temples

Abstract

This study discusses the dynamic effect of daylight in the sacred atmosphere of famous temples in Bagan, Myanmar. Over 10 centuries, these remaining UNESCO monuments have stood still after surviving natural catastrophes and man-made disasters. A good preservation is needed to maintain these buildings. This topic arose from observations of the sacred areas lacking awareness of the value of daylight and ineffective artificial lighting. The research will investigate the daylight performance to restore the value of Bagan temples. This research will include case studies, comparative studies, and daylight simulation. In the past, monuments were taken as poor conservation work without understanding the value of Bagan. Existing artificial lighting is insufficient to cover the techniques from the past, resulting in decreased spatial quality of sacred spaces.

An investigation of the role of light and daylighting performance at sacred places has been performed by researchers to provide readers with a better understanding of the quality of light and spiritual experience at Bagan temples. This research indicates that religion impacts lighting treatments to create spiritual quality and increase devotee faith in sacred places. This research study aims to achieve three goals. First, to understand the critical role of religion in the lighting at a holy monument, and next, to examine the daylight performance of the main shrine and corridor of two Buddhist temples in Myanmar. Lastly, this research knowledge will be added as an essential reference to further studies for maintaining a spiritual quality at the place of worship when artificial lighting is developed. The research explores the daylighting technique in the two Buddhist temples built in the Bagan region of Myanmar. The temples are Ananda (Early 11^th century AD) and That-Byin-Nyu (12^th century AD), from two different periods of the Bagan Dynasty and comparable in size and popularity. The great Kings of the Bagan empire built these two monuments. The philosophy and religious perceptions of Kings themselves are reflected on these monuments.