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We find another interesting manifestation in Burma -- an extension of the minimization of Brahma's worship that was taking place in India, which traveled into Southeast Asia, as well. For example, in the Kaw-gun, Burma sculpture of Garbhodakasayi Visnu reclining on Sesanaga, as well as in similar images from Burma, particularly the Thaton area, we see that Brahma has been placed in quite a secondary role in the scene. It is Visnu who emerges from the central lotus, given a place equivalent to Brahma's usual place. Shiva's role is emphasized, on the other hand, by way of the linga, which is placed on a throne at the side of the central deity. This juxtaposition is also found in the 11th century Angkorian sculptures found on stones in the riverbed at Kbal Spean, in which the reclining Visnu is framed from below by a row of lingams. Clearly these Burmese depictions, which illustrate Brahma's progressive minimization in favour of Shiva's pronounced presence, is an influence that came to Burma from India. Whether it traveled there in association with Jainism, Buddhism, or both, we do not know. But it is clear that with the growing popularity of Buddhism in Southeast Asia, even Shiva worship was quickly overshadowed, what to speak of the Brahma cult.
Lord Brahma Singasari, Burma This deity of Lord Brahma pictured above, which is now housed at the National Museum of Ethnology in Leiden, is said to have come from the Singasari temple complex in Burma. Sculpted in the style of late 13th century Java, this beautiful Brahmadeva is catur-mukha, bearded and moustached. He holds the whisk, and Hamsa is beside him. On his two lower hands, he balances a lotus bud. While part of the lower sculpture is lost, the murti still stands 1.74 m tall. It is one of two large Brahma deities known to have been at Singasari.
Burma sculpture of Buddha, Brahma and Indra, from the ladder descent Brahma (on right) has kiritamukuta and umbrella pole At Burma's Nan-hpaya Temple in Pagan, among the finest carvings in the entire temple are a set of four bas-relief panels of Lord Brahma. They appear on the inner sanctum walls, facing the presiding deity there. Carved from single stone blocks rather than a slab, the blocks are interlocked to form the panel, reminiscent of Java or Cambodian sculptures. Brahma is depicted being carried on a lotus cushion, which lotus stems encompassing his body with buds. This opulent depiction of Brahma was not repeated anywhere else in Burma, although his worship was well established amonst the Pyus and Old Mons people. Even so, Brahma was always secondary to Buddha, and the Nan-hpaya was a Buddhist temple, not a Brahmanic temple.
Wat Phu Temple, Laos
Situated to the east of Burma, and north of Thailand, the country of Laos stretches down to meet Cambodia and Vietnam in the boot of the peninsula. While we have little information about Brahma's presence in Laos, there is one temple relic of note.
Trimurti panel at Wat Phu Temple, Laos The temple of Wat Phu near Champasak, Laos is considered one of the most sacred sites in Southeast Asia, and was one of the most important Hindu temples of the Khmer empire. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Wat Phu temple is situated halfway up the Lingaparvata, or 'Mountain of the Linga'. The temple was built of sandstone and bricks in the 11th century. Behind the temple, under a cliff, a small bronze Khmer deity of Vishnu and his consort were found. The Trimurti panel pictured above, was installed inside the temple. Outside there is a staircase, now in ruins like the temple itself, which climbed the mountain, flanked by rows of red jasmine trees. At the top is terrace, edged with naga carvings.
Wat Phu Temple – Champasak, Laos Part 2 - Pushkar, Rajasthan Part 3 - Chinch & Asotra, Rajasthan Part 4 - Eklingji, Udaipur, Rajasthan) Part 5 - Vasantgarh, Rajasthan) Part 6 (Rajasthan: Bijoila, Mewar; Chandravati, Sirohi; Kiradu & Sevadi, Jodphur) Part 7 (Khokhan, Himachal Pradesh) Part 8 (Tihri-Uttarsal, Himachal Pradesh) Part 9 (Una, Himachal Pradesh) Part 10 (Dudhahi, Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh) Part 11 (Gaya, Bihar) Part 12 (Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh) Part 13 (Alampur, Andhra Pradesh) Part 14 (Kaleshwar, Karimnagar, Andhra Pradesh) Part 15 (Sampradaya Acarya - Lingampally, Andhra Pradesh) Part 16 (Manthani, Andhra Pradesh) Part 17 (Gurramguda Village, Andhra Pradesh) Part 18 (Tirusulam, Tamil Nadu) Part 19 (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 20 (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 21 (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 22 (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 23 (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 24 (Syncretistic Forms of Lord Brahma) Part 25 (Thirupachur, Tamil Nadu) Part 26 (Pancheshti/Pancheti, Tamil Nadu) Part 27 (Pallavaram, Tamil Nadu) Part 28 (Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu) Part 29 (Mandagappattu, Tamil Nadu) Part 30 (Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 31 (Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 32 (Thirumukkoodal, Tamil Nadu) Part 33 (Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu) Part 34 (Thirunaraiyur, Tamil Nadu) Part 35 (Thirunaraiyur, Tamil Nadu) Part 36 (Thiruvengadu, Tamil Nadu) Part 37 (Thiruvelliyankudi, Tamil Nadu) Part 38 (Kuthanoor, Tamil Nadu) Part 39 (Lalgudi, Tamil Nadu) Part 40 (Kulithalai, Tamil Nadu) Part 41 (Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu) Part 42 (Thirupattur, Tamil Nadu) Part 43 (Pullamangai, Tamil Nadu) Part 44 (Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu) Part 45 (Sri Rangam, Tamil Nadu) Part 46 (Tanjore, Tamil Nadu) Part 47 (Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu) Part 48 (Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu) Part 49 (Darasuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 50 (Thirukkannapuram, Tamil Nadu) Part 51 (Malayadipatti, Tamil Nadu) Part 52 (Thiruvadi, Tamil Nadu) Part 53 (Thirukandiyur, Tamil Nadu) Part 54 (Thiruparangundram, Tamil Nadu) Part 55 (Kodumudi, Tamil Nadu) Part 56 (Thottiyam, Tamil Nadu) Part 57 (Nallur, Tamil Nadu) Part 58 (Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu) Part 59 (Purusha Sukta - The Hymn of Creation) Part 60 (Kottakkal, Kerala) Part 61 (Thirunavaya, Kerala) Part 62 (Triprayar, Kerala) Part 63 (Kodakkal, Kerala) Part 64 (Chottanikkara, Kerala) Part 65 (Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala) Part 66 (Thiruvallam, Kerala) Part 67 (Tulunadu to Ur - Proliferation of Brahma Cult) Part 68 (Lord Brahma and Abrahamic Cult) Part 69 (Kolar, Karnataka) Part 70 (Mullur, Karnataka) Part 71 (Somnathapur, Halebid & Belur, Karnataka) Part 72 (Sringeri, Karnataka) Part 73 (Palli, Udupi, Karnataka) Part 74 (Brahmalingeswara - Kanajaru, Karnataka) Part 75 (Brahmalingeshwara - Maranakatte, Karnataka) Part 76 (Brahmalingesvara Temples, Karnataka) Part 77 (Brahmalingesvara Temples, Karnataka) Part 78 (Aihole & Badami, Karnataka) Part 79 (Lakkundi, Karnataka) Part 80 (Sravanabelgola, Karnataka) Part 81 (Kambadahalli, Karnataka) Part 82 (Jain Brahma Yaksha Temples, Karnataka) Part 83 (Savadi, Karnataka) Part 84 (Shimoga and Megunda, Karnataka) Part 85 (Lord Brahma in Buddhism, Karnataka) Part 86 (Brahma's Prayers for Creative Energy) Part 87 (Mangalwedha, Maharashtra) Part 88 (Harihareshwar, Maharashtra) Part 89 (Ambarnath, Maharashtra) Part 90 (Sopara, Maharashtra) Part 91 (Mahuli, Maharashtra) Part 92 (Trimbakeswar, Maharashtra) Part 93 (Ellora, Maharashtra) Part 94 (Brahmapuri, Maharashtra) Part 95 (Khedbrahma, Gujarat) Part 96 (Dungari, Gujarat) Part 97 (Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh) Part 98 (Khajurao, Madhya Pradesh) Part 99 (Pastimes of Saraswati and Brahma) Part 100 (Nepal) Part 101 (Buddha, Brahma and Indra, Southeast Asia) Part 102 (Lord Brahma in Burma and Laos, Southeast Asia)
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