The search for the fabled Great Bell of Dhammazedi, which weighs 270 tons, has ensued in Myanmar.
Divers are searching near the old capital Yangon near the confluence of the Pazundaung Creek, Bago and Yangon rivers. The renewed efforts attempt to recover the bronze bell believed to be lying at the river bottom.
The 270-ton bronze bell was cast in 1476 and is believed to be the biggest bell ever cast. By comparison, the Big Ben in London weighs 13.5 tons.
The legendary bell from Myanmar was made on the order of then King Dhammazedi and later donated to the respected Shwedagon pagoda. In early 1600s, the revered bell was stolen by Philip de Brito, the Portuguese dictator. However, Brito's vessel sank at the confluence of the Pazundaung Creek, Bago and Yangon rivers, taking with it the fabled bell.
The current attempt is not the first to retrieve the historic treasure. Deep sea diver James Blunt dove 115 times and used sonar imaging for guidance in the past without any luck.
The bell is believed to be buried in the heavy silt and the torrential currents have been a deterrent in its excavation.
Over 70 divers, which include "sea gypsies" from Myanmar's Myeik, archipelago are a part of the expedition looking to salvage the bell. The "sea gypsies" are known for their ability to dive deep into the waters sans any breathing equipment.
The divers have explored the region in the past few days, but have been unable to locate it because of the muddy riverbed and heavy silt reveals 52-year-old Win Myint the expedition organizer. Myint wishes to salvage the 400-year-old bell and return it to its rightful owners -- the Shwedagon pagoda.
The revered Shwedagon pagoda is over 2,500 years old and has several relics associated with Buddhism. The pagoda replaced the Dhammazedi Bell in 1779 with a smaller bell per the temple's website. However, this bell too was also stolen from the temple in the 1820s by the British. This smaller replacement bell also met with a similar fate and fell into the river. However, unlike the Dhammazedi Bell, it was retrieved from the river bed and is now in its rightful spot in the pagoda.
The expedition will last nearly 45 days and will rake up expenses of $200,000. Most of the costs are being covered from voluntary donations.
"We didn't seek donations, but the public enthusiastically contributed to our plan and we are happy to see it," revealed Myint.
As the goggle-clad divers continued to scout the area for the Dhammazedi Bell, monks who were in a separate boat prayed for their safety. The expedition organizers are confident that the search will end successfully.
