Mingun Mandalay Myanmar

- The diminishing terraces of the Mingun pagoda

were intended to decorate glazed color plaques bearing relief scenes from Fifth Buddhist Synods (Councils). Unfortunately, these plaques had to be abandoned due to devasting to build to the height of 165 ft (50 m). The plinth of the pagoda covered an area of 450 sqft (41.86 sqm). There are niches at the four cardinal points.

This pagoda was projected to reach the height of 500 ft (152 m)Even in a ruined state, this pagoda is a huge mass of imposing brickwork not to be found anywhere else. Since the building of pyramids in Egypt, not so great has ever been attempted in the 19th century.

Two huge lion figures guard the pagoda, being built in 1793. They are of 95 ft (29 m) high and each of the orbs measures 9 inches in circumference and claws are 5.5 ft (1.7 m) long and 4.5 ft (1.4 m) in circumference carved out of marble stones. When these two great lions sponsored by King Bodawpaya are completed in 1796, the King was not fully satisfied with the work, so he asked the opinion of his wise and witty Minister whether they were perfect. The Minister at once gave a ready answer, “My Lord, these Lions are postured in such a different manner to the usual ones that they are life-like, poised as if they are going to jump over the Irrawaddy or Ayeyawady”. The King was so pleased with the explanation given by his Minister that he lavishly granted him rewards. The Minister was none other than the well-known witty Minister Bodaw U Waing

- There are plenty of other magnificent pagodas at Mingun , one is the Settawya Pagoda.

This pagoda was completed during the reign of King Bodawpaya in 1811 to which the King brought a marble Footprint of Buddha from Mingun. It stands on the river bank with a vaulted chamber.

Mya Thein Dan or Hsinbyume Pagoda
Mya Thein Dan Pagoda means a ruby worth Kyats 100,000 at that time was dedicated by Bagyidaw (King Sagaing). It is in the form of Sulamani Pagoda resting on mythical Mount Meru, the centre of the universe, according to Buddhist cosmology. It has a circular plan with 7 concentric terraces parapetted with low walls of wavy pattern. On the top of the terrace, cyclindral contains a vaulted sanctum. The sanctum can be by three parallel flights of steps covered by an arcade of ornamental arched finished in fine stucco. This pagoda was build in the memory of the late King’s senior wife, Hsinbyume Princess. Though it was damaged by an earthquake it was now restored to its original structure

Hsinbyume Pagoda detail

- The great Mingun Bell

Myanmar people, Kings and lay people alike, used to donate and dedicate all kinds of bells, large and small, to pagodas, stupas and temples. Amongst the largest one in Myanmar, of course the largest ringing bell in the world (with the exception of the damaged Moscow Bell) at the Mingun Pagoda. There is a rhyming (Min Phyu Hman Hman Pyaw) meaning it weighs 55,555 viss, equal to 199,998 pounds or 90.52 tons, being cast by skillful artisans in 1808, led by the chief bronze artisan named Maha Nanda Kyawswa.

It has a circumference of 50.75 ft (15.5 m) at its mouth and 20 ft (6.1 m) high. In 1838, the bell fell from its mounting due to an earthquake but was remounted by a Scottish officer from Irrawaddy (Ayeyawady) Flotilla co. in 1904. Unlike the bells elsewhere, Mingun Bell can be rung by striking the rim with a stout timber.

Myanmar Buddhists have an implicit faith and duty not only to assist and help others in times of need in material terms but also to spiritually distribute their merits gained from doing good deeds. By ringing the bell, they announce all the living beings, seen and unseen, to share their merits. For that purpose, bells are kept at the pagodas. At home, Myanmar Buddhists after telling of beads or being engaged in meditation Vipassana practice, they used to strike triangular brass gong, called Kye-si as a token of distribution of their merits gained to all.

Other great bells of Myanmar.
1. Mon King, Dhammazedi’s Bell: weighs 80,000
viss. This bell is stealthy taken away by a
renegade Nga Zin Kar over the Thanlyin River
and unfortunately fell into the river but could
not be salvaged hitherto.
2. King Bodawpaya’s Mingun Bell: weighs
55,555 viss or 90.52 tons.
3. King Tharawaddy’s Maha Tissa Yeikkha Bell:
weighs 25990 viss and 49 ticals. It stands now
at the north-east corner of Shwedagon Pagoda
(picture below).
4. King Singu’s Maha Gandha Bell: weighs
15,555 viss, dedicated to Shwedagon Pagoda
(picture below).
5. Mon Queen Shin Sawpu’s Pyi-daw-pyan Bell:
weighs 1,700 viss. This bell was seized and taken away by the British to India but is returned after

Myanmar’s independence. For that reason, it is known as Pyi-daw-pyan (Returning to mother country).