Mingun (Myanmar)

Mingun is an Ayeyarwady River cruise port and town in Sagaing Region, northwestern Burma (Myanmar). The town is located approx 10 km (6 mi)  from Mandalay. The main attraction of Mingun are the ruins of Mingun Pahtodawgyi (incomplete stupa).

Mingun temple's construction was started in 1790 but was not completed, as a royal astrologer claimed that after finishing the temple King Bodawpaya would die. If completed, the stupa (mound-like religious structure) would have been the world's largest - wit hheigth 150 m (490 ft). The earthquake of March 1839 caused huge cracks in the building. Like many of Burma's large pagodas, the working model of the uncompleted building is located nearby.

King Bodawpaya had a gigantic bell cast for the huge temple. Mingun Bell weighs 90 tons, and is currently ranked the world's largest ringing bell. In Burmese measurement, it weighs 55,555 peiktha, representing the importance of number 5 in Burmese numerology and astronomy.

Two hundred yards from the unfinished temple and bell is located the white Myatheindan Pagoda modelled after Mount Meru (Hindu's sacred 5-peaked mountain).