Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Mingun Bell

The Mingun Bell is a massive bell located in the village of Mingun, , , along the west bank of River, approximately 11 kilometers northwest of . Cast between 1808 and 1810 under the orders of King of the , it weighs about 90 tons (equivalent to 55,555 traditional viss units) and measures approximately 3.7 meters (12 feet) in height with a rim diameter of 5 meters. Intended as part of the unfinished Mingun Pahtodawgyi —one of the king's ambitious "four great noble deeds" to demonstrate piety and power—the bell was crafted from an alloy of , gold, silver, iron, and lead at a cost of around 658,726 kyats (roughly US$650,000 in modern terms). For nearly two centuries after its completion, the Mingun Bell held the title of the world's heaviest functioning bell, a status it maintained until 2000 when it was surpassed by China's 116-ton at the Foquan Temple. The bell's construction involved an elaborate process: molten metal was poured into a massive on the river's opposite bank, then transported across the water using two specially built boats and canals, with water levels raised to facilitate lifting it into place atop a . It suffered damage during a major on March 23, 1839, which caused about 18 pounds of metal to break off, but was repaired and rehung in by the Company, ensuring its continued use. Today, it remains operational and is a key attraction at the site, rung by visitors who can climb inside its structure, symbolizing Myanmar's rich Konbaung-era heritage in bronze casting and monumental .

Physical Characteristics

Dimensions and Specifications

The Mingun Bell stands 3.7 meters (12 feet) tall on its exterior, with an interior height of 3.5 meters (11.5 feet), and features a diameter of 5 meters (16 feet) at the rim. Its wall thickness varies between 0.15 and 0.30 meters (6 to 12 inches), contributing to its robust construction. These dimensions underscore the bell's immense scale, making it one of the largest intact ringing bells globally. Weighing approximately 90 metric tons (about 200,000 pounds), the bell's mass is inscribed on its surface in Burmese script as 55,555 viss—a traditional equivalent to roughly 1.63 kilograms per viss—reflecting its intended symbolic numerology. recognizes it as the heaviest bell still in use at 92 tonnes (diameter 5.09 m at the lip), while 19th-century European accounts, such as those from colonial surveys, estimated it at around 88 tons (195,000 pounds) based on metal calculations, highlighting minor discrepancies in early measurements. Structurally, the bell exhibits an inverted conical profile typical of traditional Burmese designs, with a pronounced thick at the for enhanced and durability. Lacking an internal , it is struck externally using a large beam, a method that preserves its integrity while producing a deep, sustained tone suited to its size. The original supporting , designed to suspend the bell, accommodated this load. Due to its massive dimensions and thick walls, the bell's acoustic properties include a low that allows prolonged vibrations after being struck, creating a resonant audible from considerable distances.

Materials and Design

The Mingun Bell was cast from a alloy primarily consisting of and tin in an approximate 4:1 ratio, augmented with trace amounts of , silver, iron, and lead to achieve optimal resonance. The component was sourced from local deposits along River, aligning with traditional Burmese reliance on regional minerals for large-scale metalwork. The bell's exterior bears symbolic inscriptions in Burmese script, encompassing Buddhist mantras and royal dedications by King Bodawpaya. In contrast to smaller temple bells adorned with intricate decorative motifs like floral patterns or mythical figures, the Mingun Bell eschews such ornamentation, emphasizing its inscriptions to convey spiritual and monarchical significance. Its creation employed a traditional technique using multiple furnaces, a method honed by Burmese artisans for monumental castings. This approach highlights the ingenuity of pre-modern craftsmanship in handling vast volumes of without contemporary machinery. The bell is suspended from a massive teakwood supported by piers, engineered to bear its enormous scale while allowing manual striking for .

Historical Development

Commissioning and Casting Process

The Mingun Bell was commissioned in 1808 by King Bodawpaya, the sixth monarch of the , as part of his ambitious religious merit-making initiatives at Mingun, near River in present-day , . Bodawpaya sought to create the largest bell in the world to accompany his monumental Mingun Pahtodawgyi pagoda, surpassing all existing bells in scale to demonstrate unparalleled devotion. This project formed one of his "four great noble deeds," reflecting the king's drive to accumulate spiritual merit through grand Buddhist constructions. Casting commenced on April 29, 1808, under Bodawpaya's direct supervision on the eastern bank of the River opposite Mingun, and required two years of preparation before completion in 1810. The process involved forging a massive , with the molten metal poured into an enormous over an extended period to ensure structural integrity. The bell was first rung in 1810, marking the culmination of this phase of production. Logistically, the endeavor demanded vast resources and coordination, mobilizing workers, including villagers, , and laborers from across the kingdom. Approximately 90 tons of metal, primarily , were collected via widespread donations of household utensils and other items from the populace, symbolizing communal participation in the royal merit-making. These materials were transported to the casting site primarily by river barges along . Symbolically, the bell embodied Bodawpaya's piety and political authority, integrally linked to the unfinished , which was envisioned as a representation of with its tiered structure mirroring the universe's realms. By commissioning such a colossal , the king aimed to amplify the pagoda's spiritual resonance, inviting devotees to the site for rituals that reinforced Buddhist ideals of impermanence and merit.

Installation and Initial Use

The Mingun Bell was transported across the River to Mingun after casting, using two specially built boats and canals with water levels raised by damming to facilitate the crossing, before being hoisted into place in using ramps and pulleys to position the massive structure within a custom constructed near the west bank of the River in Mingun, . The , located north of the unfinished Mingun Pahtodawgyi , featured a low circular terrace designed to accommodate the bell's enormous scale, with the suspended from a robust made of wood and iron reinforcements to support its weight and allow for swinging. The initial ringing of the bell occurred during a grand festival in 1810, attended by , which celebrated the completion of key elements in the Mingun complex and symbolized the monarch's to . Thereafter, the bell served a functional role in religious practices during the , struck daily with large wooden mallets by trained attendants to issue calls to prayer for local monasteries and mark monastic routines. Historical records note that its deep toll could carry up to 10 kilometers across the landscape, underscoring its symbolic importance as an emblem of and communal unity. Early 19th-century accounts by British travelers, including Henry Yule's 1855 description in A Narrative of the Mission Sent by the Governor-General of India to the Court of Ava, highlight the bell's awe-inspiring tolls, noting it was struck using a teak beam swung by a capstan operated by four men, producing a resonant sound that echoed profoundly despite post-earthquake supports limiting its full swing.

Preservation and Legacy

Damage and Restoration Efforts

The 1839 Ava earthquake, which struck on March 23, devastated the region around Mingun, causing the partial collapse of the pavilion housing the Mingun Bell and dislodging the massive bell from its supports, leaving it resting on the ground. The structure, originally installed in a pavilion adjacent to the unfinished Mingun Pagoda to serve as a ceremonial instrument, was rendered inoperable for decades following the event, with contemporary accounts noting its prone position amid the rubble. In the immediate aftermath, the bell remained silent and largely inaccessible, buried partially under debris from the collapsed , as documented in British colonial observations during the mid-19th century that described its damaged and grounded state. By the 1870s, photographs captured by colonial expeditions confirmed the bell's intact but unsupported condition, highlighting the extent of the seismic impact on the site. Restoration efforts in the culminated in March 1896, when the Company, a colonial enterprise, successfully resuspended the bell using powerful screw jacks and levers, funded through public subscription to stabilize and revive the artifact. This intervention addressed the ongoing vulnerability from the earthquake's effects, preventing further degradation and allowing limited use thereafter.

Current Status and Cultural Role

As of November 2025, the Mingun Bell remains uncracked and largely functional as one of the world's largest ringing bells, though it sustained minor damage during the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck on March 28, 2025; initial reports indicate the bell is still hanging and operational, with ongoing assessments by heritage authorities. The earthquake also caused significant damage to nearby structures in the Mingun complex, including the destruction of the Hsinbyume Pagoda. Housed in an open pavilion adjacent to the unfinished Mingun Pahtodawgyi stupa, it stands as a well-preserved testament to early 19th-century Burmese and is regularly maintained by local heritage authorities in . Located in the town of Mingun along the west bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River, the bell is accessible via a 30-minute journey from , though access may be affected by the 2025 earthquake recovery efforts. It remains a popular excursion for tourists exploring the region's historical sites, with modest entry fees contributing to preservation. Visitor numbers continued to recover post-COVID, with domestic exceeding 10 million nationwide in 2024 and arrivals reaching approximately 1.3 million in 2023. Culturally, the Mingun Bell forms an integral part of the Mingun complex, nominated to UNESCO's Tentative List under "Ancient Cities of : Innwa, Amarapura, , Mingun, " since 2014, highlighting its role in the continuum of Burmese royal and religious architecture. In Buddhist traditions, striking the bell is a ritual act believed to summon devas (celestial beings) and amplify the merits of good deeds, embedding it in local spiritual practices and ceremonies at nearby monasteries. It also features prominently in regional festivals, such as the annual Nat Festival in August, where it underscores 's syncretic blend of animist and Buddhist customs. Beyond rituals, the 90-ton bell symbolizes national resilience and engineering prowess, ranking as the heaviest intact and operational non-cracked bell globally, second only to the long-lost . initiatives, including guided audio tours and digital maps promoted by the Myanmar Tourism Federation, further elevate its visibility as a heritage icon.

References

  1. [1]
    When Myanmar Made One of the Largest Bells in the World
    Apr 29, 2020 · Weighing 55,555 viss (nearly 90 tons), the Great Mingun Bell was the heaviest bell in the world during various periods until 2000, when the 116 ...
  2. [2]
    The Mingun Pagoda and Bell - Atlas Obscura
    Aug 16, 2011 · The Mingun Pagoda and Bell. Gigantic unfinished stupa and the world's 2nd largest bell. Min Kun, Myanmar (Burma).Missing: facts | Show results with:facts
  3. [3]
    The Grand Great Ringing Bells in Myanmar - TNK Travel
    Jun 17, 2014 · Casting of Mingun bell was started at 1808 and finished by 1810. King Bodawpaya cast this bell for his big stupa Mingun Pahtodawgyi. As said by ...Missing: facts | Show results with:facts
  4. [4]
    About Bells - BELLS FOR AFRICA
    With a weight of about 90.7 tons and measures 4.95 meters in diameter and 3.51 meters in height. The bell remains uncracked, is in excellent ringing condition, ...Missing: dimensions specifications
  5. [5]
    Mingun bell - TNK Travel
    Feb 21, 2014 · The height is 12.0 feet (3.66 m) feet on the exterior and 11.5 feet (3.51 m) in the interior. The outside circumference at the rim is 50.75 feet ...Missing: dimensions | Show results with:dimensions
  6. [6]
    Heaviest bell still in use | Guinness World Records
    The heaviest bell still in use is the Mingun bell, weighing 92 tonnes with a diameter of 5.09 m (16 ft 8 in) at the lip, in Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma).Missing: weight sources
  7. [7]
    “Mengoon Bell, Mandalay, Burmah” (1866) - The Victorian Web
    Jan 17, 2016 · Its weight is 195,000 lb., calculated according to the quantity of metal need in the casting, and its extreme height and breadth (that is to say ...
  8. [8]
    The World's Three Largest Bells
    That title is owned by Burma's Mingun Bell, which rings near the city of Sagaing, at the Mingun pagoda, some 11 km (7 miles) upriver from Mandalay, in the ...
  9. [9]
    The Bellmaker | Stories | Notre Dame Magazine
    Oct 6, 2014 · Casting a bell means pouring a molten alloy of 80 percent copper and 20 percent tin into a mold like that tall, beany cake. ... And because bell ...
  10. [10]
    [PDF] Sacred Sites of Burma - Angkor Database
    May 15, 2005 · ... 30 tons and stands over 3 metres. The main corridor has panel ... Mingun Bell.' In Cultural. Classics. Yangon: Universities Press. 55-63 ...
  11. [11]
    None
    ### Summary of Burmese Bronze Bell Casting Techniques (Chū) from Htee Hlaing Village
  12. [12]
    Mandalay & Surroundings | - Myanmar - WordPress.com
    ... Mingun Bell. The local people donated metal utensils from their homes to help provide the bronze needed to smelt the bell. Sagaing. The hilltops, each ...Highlights Of Mandalay · Atumashi Kyaung · Surroundings
  13. [13]
    Mingun Bell Pavilion, Inwa, Myanmar - Asian Historical Architecture
    Photos and description of the architecture of Mingun Bell Pavilion, housing a 90 ton bell cast during the reign of King Bodawpaya of the Konbaung Dynasty ...Missing: 1810 ramps pulleys
  14. [14]
    Buddhist bells - Dhamma Wiki
    Apr 18, 2011 · The largest functioning bell in the world is the Mingun Bell cast in Burma in 1808 and which weighs 90 tons. Another huge 'Buddhist' bell hangs ...Missing: prayer | Show results with:prayer
  15. [15]
    A narrative of the mission sent by the governor-general of India to ...
    Jan 3, 2008 · A narrative of the mission sent by the governor-general of India to the court of Ava in 1855, with notices of the country, government, and people.Missing: Mingun Bell
  16. [16]
    Burma / Myanmar: the Mingun Bell in Sagaing ... - DVB (English)
    The weight of the bell is 55,555 viss (90,718 kilograms or 199,999 pounds). The outer diameter of the rim of the bell is 16 feet 3 inches (4.95 m). The ...Missing: sources | Show results with:sources
  17. [17]
    Mingun Bell | Visit Myanmar
    Nov 4, 2017 · From when it was cast up until the year 2000, weighing in at 90 tons and having a width of nearly 5m, the Mingun Bell held the record as the ...
  18. [18]
    Myanmar's domestic tourism hits 10M in 2024 | Ministry Of Information
    Jan 24, 2025 · Myanmar's domestic tourism significantly boomed in 2024, attracting up to 10 million homegrown visitors, according to the Directorate of Hotels ...
  19. [19]
    Myanmar Visitor Arrivals [Chart-Data-Forecast], 1995 - 2024 - CEIC
    Myanmar Visitor Arrivals recorded 1,284,731 person in Dec 2023, compared with 233,487 person in the previous year · Myanmar Visitor Arrivals data is updated ...Missing: Mingun | Show results with:Mingun
  20. [20]
    Ancient cities of Upper Myanmar: Innwa, Amarapura, Sagaing ...
    Numerous religious monuments, temples, stupas and monasteries. A giant stupa was started at Mingun, intended to become the highest monument of Buddhism, but was ...
  21. [21]
    Mingun Bell - Myanmar - Indochina Odyssey Tours
    Oct 12, 2023 · The Mingun Bell, weighing 90 tons, was cast in 1808. It was intended for Mingun Pagoda, and is used in religious affairs. It was transported ...Missing: dimensions sources<|control11|><|separator|>
  22. [22]
    Experience Myanmar's Culture | Trails of Indochina
    While the stupa was never finished, the 52m (170ft) base is still incredibly impressive, as is the nearby 90-ton Mingun Bell that King Bodawpaya cast to go with ...