Mingun Bell - 90 Ton Bronze Bell - Mandalay Myanmar 2023

The Mingun Bell မင်းကွန်းခေါင်းလောင်းတော် is a bell located in Mingun Myanmar. It is located approximately 11 km (6.8 mi) north of Mandalay on the western bank of the Irrawaddy River. It was the heaviest functioning bell in the world at several times in history.

The weight of the bell is 55,555 viss (90,718 kilograms or 199,999 pounds). This number is conveniently remembered by many people in Myanmar as a mnemonic "Min Hpyu Hman Hman Pyaw". The weight of the bell and its mnemonic words are written on the surface of the bell.

The outer diameter of the rim of the bell is 16 feet 3 inches (4.95 m). The height of the bell is 12.0 feet (3.66 m) on the exterior and 11.5 feet (3.51 m) in the interior. The outside circumference at the rim is 50.75 feet (15.469 m). The bell is 6 to 12 inches (15–30 cm) thick and stands 20.7 feet (6.31 m) high from the rim to the top.

The bell is uncracked and in good ringing condition. The bell does not have a clapper but is rung by striking the outer edge.

Casting of the bell started in 1808 and was finished by 1810. King Bodawpaya had this gigantic bell cast to go with his huge stupa, Mingun Pahtodawgyi. The bell was said to have been cast on the opposite side of the river and was transported by using two boats, which after crossing the river, proceeded up two specially built canals. The canals were then dammed and the bell was lifted by raising the water level by the addition of earth into the blocked canal. In this way the bell was originally suspended.

The Mingun Bell was knocked off its supports as a result of a large earthquake on 23 March 1839. It was resuspended by the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in March 1896 using screw jacks and levers using funds from public subscription.

Other Large Bells

Great Bell of Dhammazedi is the largest bell ever created in history. Cast in Myanmar on 5 February 1484 by the order of King Dhammazedi of Hanthawaddy Pegu, this bell weighted 327 tons. It was placed in the temple of the Shwedagon Pagoda where Portuguese adventurer and mercenary Filipe de Brito e Nicote stole it after his forces sacked Myanmar. He tried to transport it via boat, but the weight of the bell destroyed the boat and the bell sank. There are several proposed missions to recover the Great Bell of Dhammazedi from the river but it’s still currently underwater.

Tsar Bell III was created in 1735 by Ivan Feodorovich Motorin the largest and heaviest bell in Russia. It is not functioning, because a large fire damaged it shortly after its casting. It is currently placed in Moscow’s Kremlin as one of the most popular tourist destination in the city.

The bell is worth a short visit if you are in the area. It’s located near the river so you can take a boat trip to see the area and see some of the other sites.

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