Some historians believe the temple was built in the 10th century, during the reign of King Nyaung-u Sawrahan (also known as Taungthugyi).

The temple was originally built for Hindu Burmese Indians of the 11th century, including merchants and Brahmins in the service of the king.

Originally, the temple contained statues of the incarnations of Vishnu; however, today, only seven remain.

It may have been built by Indian artisans brought into Bagan (Pagan), during the 10th century AD, to work on it and other temples.

As the oldest temple in Bagan, its style influenced and inspired the numerous other Buddhist structures that followed.