The Bupaya Pagoda in Bagan is a notable pagoda, situated on the banks of the Ayeyarwady River. Bupaya means the “a gourd shape pagoda”. It is opined that the pagoda was built in A.D 3rd century by King Pyusaw Hti.
Above rows of crenelated terraces, the small pagoda is a landmark for navigators and boatmen pay homage to the Bupaya Pagoda when they reach it. Within the Bupaya pagoda is a shrine dedicated to the God of Storms called Mondaing Nat.
The pagoda was completely destroyed when it tumbled into the river in the 1975 earthquake, but has since been totally rebuilt, with lesser adherence to the original design. Subsequently it was built as a gilded superstructure.