Burma / Myanmar: The ruined haunch of a giant chinthe (leogryph or lion-like mythical creature), originally one of a pair used as guardians of the Mingun Pahtodawgyi (Mingun Temple), Sagaing District, near Mandalay

The Chinthe is a leogryph (lion-like creature) that is often seen at the entrances of pagodas and temples in Burma and other Southeast Asian countries. The chinthe is featured prominently on the kyat, the currency of Burma. The chinthe is almost always depicted in pairs, and serve to protect the pagoda. They typically appear as animals, but are sometimes found with human faces.

The Mingun Pahtodawgyi (Mingun Temple) was built in 1790 by King Bodawpaya (1745 - 1819) the sixth king of the Konbaung Dynasty. The enormous stupa was never completed and today stands at a height of 50m (164 ft). It was originally intended to be the tallest stupa in the world at a height of 150m (490 ft).

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia