Kuthodaw Pagoda

MYANMAR, Mandalay

Kuthodaw means Royal Merit. The pagoda was also formerly known as Mahalawka Marazein. It was built by King Mindon (reigned 1853–1878) between 1859 and 1862. It was one of the seven major constructions built during the founding of the new capital at Mandalay.
The pagoda was constructed on the model of the Shwezigon Pagoda in Bagan. It consists of a main pagoda, ancillary pagodas, and 729 small white pagodas arranged in three rows surrounding it. The main pagoda rests on three terraces, with an ancillary pagoda at the corner of each terrace. The pagoda body is shaped like a golden bell, surmounted by a canopy, stacked rings and finial. Within each small white pagoda, there is a marble stele inscribed with text from the Pali Canon, authenticated during the Fifth Buddhist Council held in Mandalay in 1871. Of the 729 marble steles, 410 are inscribed with the Sutra Pitaka, 111 are inscribed with the Vinaya Pitaka, and 208 are inscribed with the Abhidharma Pitaka. Stele No. 730 records the origins of the pagodas and steles. Because of the extensive scale and size, the pagodas and steles are also known as the world’s largest book.