Perhaps the highest revered temple in Bagan, the Ananda Pagoda was built in 1105 CE during the reign of King Kyanzittha (1084??113) of the Bagan Dynasty. It is one of four surviving original temples of Bagan (also called Pagan). The temple layout is in a cruciform with several terraces leading to a small pagoda at the top covered by an umbrella (???ti??.

The Buddhist temple houses four standing Buddhas?acing east, north, west and south. The temple is said to be an architectural wonder in a fusion of Mon and adopted Indian styles of architecture.

It was damaged in the earthquake of 1975. However, it has been fully restored and is well maintained by frequent painting and whitewashing of the walls. On the occasion of the 900th anniversary of its construction celebrated in 1990 the temple spires were gilded.

Bagan, formerly Pagan, was mainly built between the 11th century and 13th century. Formally titled Arimaddanapura or Arimaddana (the City of the Enemy Crusher) and also known as Tambadipa (the Land of Copper) or Tassadessa (the Parched Land), it was the capital of several ancient kingdoms in Burma.