Hamsa Motif Nan-hpaya, Pagan

The goose (hamsa), Brahma's vehicle, is a frequently-appearing motif in the art of Pagan that was perhaps first used on the decoration of this temple. Rondels displaying the hamsa are carved along the "waist" of the temple above the base.

The interior shrine displays four relief carvings (photo), one for each direction, of Brahma. Like the exteriors, the interior images are carved from many separate but finely-joined stone blocks.