မင်းကွန်း ခေါင်းလောင်းတော်ကြီး | |
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| 22°03′11″N96°01′04″E / 22.052972°N 96.017778°E /22.052972; 96.017778 | |
| Location | Mingun,Sagaing Region |
|---|---|
| Type | Temple Bell |
| Material | bronze 90,718 kg |
| Beginning date | 1808 |
| Completion date | 1810 |
| Dedicated to | Mingun Pagoda |
TheMingun Bell (မင်းကွန်းခေါင်းလောင်းတော်ကြီး[mɪ́ɰ̃ɡʊ́ɰ̃kʰáʊɰ̃láʊɰ̃dɔ̀dʑí]) is abell located inMingun,Sagaing Region,Myanmar. It is located approximately 11 km (6.8 mi) north ofMandalay on the western bank of theIrrawaddy River. It was the heaviest functioning bell in the world at several times in history.
The weight of the bell is 55,555viss (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" (မင်းဖြူမှန်မှန်ပြော), with the consonants representing the number 5 in Burmese astronomy and numerology.[1][2] The weight of the bell and its mnemonic words are written on the surface of the bell in white.
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.[3]
The bell is uncracked and in good ringing condition. The bell does not have a clapper but is rung by striking the outer edge.[4]
Casting of the bell started in 1808 and was finished by 1810. KingBodawpaya (r. 1782–1819) had this gigantic bell cast to go with his hugestupa,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.[4]
The Mingun Bell was knocked off its supports as a result of a largeearthquake on 23 March 1839. It was resuspended by theIrrawaddy Flotilla Company in March 1896 using screw jacks and levers using funds from public subscription.[4]Felice Beato captured a photograph of the bell prior to its resuspension.
At 90 tons, the Mingun Bell reigned as the largest ringing bell in the world until 2000, when it was eclipsed by the 116-tonBell of Good Luck at theFoquan Temple,Pingdingshan,Henan,China.[5]
