Settawya Pagoda, Mingun

The Settawya Pagoda is a Buddhist temple in Mingun, Myanmar.

Built in the early 19th-century at the behest of King Bodawpaya Konbaung, the temple is one of several prominent pagodas in Mingun; the structure at Settawya was built during the same time as the larger-yet-uncompleted Mingun Pahtodawgyi, which was also built on the orders of Bodawpaya.

The stark-white Settwaya Pagoda is located several hundred feet from the Irrawaddy River, and the temple contains a marble footprint of the Buddha.

The pagoda survived a major earthquake in 1839, though the structure sustained some damage; its interior has since been reinforced against future earthquakes.

Approaching the pagoda from the southeast.

East facade.

Staircase leading to the pagoda.

Mythological lion.
Chinthe is the Burmese word for 'lion'. The leograph of Chinthe is a highly stylized lion commonly depicted in Burmese iconography and architecture, especially as a pair of guardians flanking the entrances of Buddhist pagodas and kyaung (or Buddhist monasteries).

The leograph of Chinthe appears as an element of Burmese iconography on many revered objects, including the palin (Burmese royal throne) and Burmese bells.
See more at Chinthe - Wikipedia.