Vientiane: The new City Pillar Shrine.
Here I take a look around the recently completed City Pillar Shrine.
The shrine is located on Setthathirath Road in the district of Sisattanek, adjacent to Wat Simuang. The site chosen for the shrine was significant as it was here that over a period of years, some 473 stones were unearthed. These stone fragments, Baysema, date back to the 4th/5th century and are believed to be the remnants of the original city shrine built in 1540 during the reign of Chao Phothisarath (1520-1550).
City pillar shrine receives crowning glory
vientianetimes.org.la
President Choummaly Sayasone joined hundreds of Vientiane residents yesterday to pull on a white rope attached to a crane as it raised the 370kg finial gable into position atop the roof of the Vientiane City Pillar Shrine.
The ornate gable is 6.28 metres high. The distinctive structure graces the top of every temple roof in Laos, and is the focal point for Buddhists when praying for an afterlife.
Happiness was evident in the smiles of merit-makers as they watched the finial gable being hoisted into position.
The ceremony began with President Choummaly Sayasone lighting candles before hitting a gong nine times. Thirteen monks then chanted for Xayanto to encourage progress for the capital while musicians played in honour of the occasion.
Some onlookers placed money, flowers and incense in small bags beside the finial gable in order to earn merit.
The ceremony ended in applause when the gable ( yotxorfa ) slotted into position before attendees cut pieces of the white string, believing it will bring them good health and good fortune.
Also attending the ceremony were Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Prof. Dr Bosengkham Vongdara, Vientiane Mayor Mr Soukanh Mahalath and other high ranking officials.
The Vientiane City Pillar Shrine on Setthathirath Road is now 85 percent complete after suffering a prolonged delay last year, and is on track to be finished in September.
Delays occurred because some aspects of the design were not appropriate, mainly the roof and ceiling. This meant improvements had to be made, requiring approval from higher authorities.
T he shrine, which is managed by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, is located in Sisattanak district and includes both a shrine for the purposes of worship and a small museum. It is being built on the spot where many old city pillars and other artefacts dating from the 4th and 5th centuries were unearthed in 2007.
The ornate building has four facades, each facing a different direction. It is 29 metres high and 17 metres wide, and incorporates traditional Buddhist architecture.
Construction of the 15 billion kip project, financed solely by the government and public funding, began in February 2010.
So far, 12 billion kip has been spent on the project. The remaining work consists of painting, designation of parking spaces and a public gathering area, a garden, footpath, drainage and lighting.
A further nine billion kip is required to build the small museum, which will be used to display items that reflect Vientiane's history, traditions, and culture.
According to a recent press release from the ministry, the museum is in the process of being put for tender and when estimates are received, the Heritage Department will submit a proposal to the ministry.
The building of the pavilion aims to preserve the nation's cultural heritage, encourage patriotism, and bolster Lao customs and solidarity.
Meuangfeuang, an unspoilt rural paradise in Vientiane province
Vangvieng always tops the list of getaway plans for Vientiane residents looking for a weekend escape and its stunning scenery and many interesting activities are a major drawcard for thousands of overseas visitors.
But those wanting a similar but quieter and more natural option away from the crowds should opt for Meuangfeuang, which is perfect for anyone wanting more privacy and to feel special.
Laos: Vientiane - Wat Si Muang
Towards the eastern end of the city of Vientiane is the revered temple of Wat Si Muang.
The Temple dates to AD 1566 & is one of the busiest in the city. Built on the ruins of a Khmer Hindu Shrine, the remains of which are still visible in an enclosed courtyard, set behind the main Ordination Hall.
The temple courtyard is full of Buddha Images, statues of various deities, serpents & animal sculptures.....
The Ordination Hall is rather unusual as it comprises two separate rooms. The first housing a small emerald Buddha & is the place to make merit to one of the monks in attendance. The room behind houses the Lak Muang, or City Pillar
Almsgiving brings city pillar shrine consecration to close
Long queues formed on Saturday morning as people waited to give alms to 99 monks who gathered in the capital for the consecration ceremony of the Vientiane City Pillar Shrine.
Vice President Bounnhang Vorachit and Vientiane Mayor Soukanh Mahalath were among those present at the almgiving, which was the final event of the three-day ceremony.
Also in attendance was the Honorable President of the Vientiane City Pillar Shrine Construction Project and Former Prime Minister, Mr Bouasone Bouphavanh, and President of the Vientiane City Pillar Shrine Construction Committee and Former Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Mounkeo Oraboun.
The almsgiving ceremony began at about 6am, with crowds of devotees holding silver bowls full of offerings for the monks in an act of homage to the Vientiane City Pillar Shrine.
The bowls contained kip notes, sweets, fruit, flowers, candles, sticky rice and other food items.
Devotees had to wait quite some time to give their offerings, with thousands of people gathering from before dawn to take part in the ceremony and forming a queue that stretched for more than 200 metres.
Ms Daosavanh Chittakhone, from Thongkhankham village in Chanthabouly district, said she arrived at the shrine at 7:15am.
I spent about 30 minutes queuing up to give alms to the monks, she said.
Another devotee, Mr Sitthideth Keokhamhak of Phonpapao Thong village in Xaysettha district, told Vientiane Times he queued for about 20 minutes but was not able to reach the donation bowls that had been placed on rows of tables.
I decided not to wait any longer but my two friends stayed and continued to wait.
Buddhism is the dominant religion in Laos and most people visit temples regularly. Many also give food to monks on their morning alms round.
On special Buddhist days people offer food, candles, incense and flowers to the large Buddha statues set up in temples and donate money, in the hope it will bring them good fortune and prosperity .
Work on the city pillar shrine began in February 2010 and was completed last month. The construction costs of 15 billion kip were financed by the government and public donations.
The decision to build the shrine was taken after 193 pieces of stone were unearthed at the site on Setthathirath Road in 2007 and identified by experts as being part of the long buried city pillar that was erected in 1560. Subsequently, more stones were discovered in 2009 and 2010, bringing the total number to 473.
The original pillar was built during the reign of Chao Phothisarath, who ruled the Lane Xang Kingdom at that time. The king is renowned for his valiant deeds and his attempts to defend the kingdom against foreign invaders.
By Khonesavanh Latsaphao
(Latest Update November 19 , 2012)
Laos: Vientiane - Wat Inpeng
A look around one of the loveliest temples in Vientiane. Dating back several centuries, the temple was destroyed by Siam forces. Today, the majority of the building date to the 20th century......
Wat Si Muang, Vientiane, Laos
Wat Si Muang is one of Vientiane’s most popular sites of worship
According to local legend, when the temple was being built in 1563 a young pregnant woman named Si Muang volunteered to sacrifice herself to appease the angry spirits. She threw herself into a hole in the ground where the building’s central pillar was to be placed, and was crushed when the massive pillar was lowered into position.
During the Thai invasion of Laos in 1828, the temple was destroyed. Rebuilt several times afterwards, the present building dates to 1915.
The interior of the temple is lavishly adorned in the usual manner with carved gold pillars, brightly coloured ceiling friezes and painted scenes from the life of the Buddha. Interestingly, the temple contains two rooms. The front chamber usually has a monk on hand to accept alms and give in return blessings. The second room contains an ornate altar where worshippers give their offerings to the Buddha.....
The temple is one of the most revered temples in Vientiane and is always busy....
Inpeng tempel Vientiane 2010.wmv
A visit to Impeng tempe, Vientiane, Laos during restoration of tempel
April 2010
Day 4 Exploring Fascinating Laos Vientiane Wat Sisaket, Wat Prakeo & Golden Stupa
Documentary
Day 4 Laos Vientiane Discovery Tour. Wat Sisaket the temple with thousands of Buddha statues. And the former royal temple Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha. The Lao's national precious heritage famous sacred structure Golden Luang Stupa and Patuxay Monument.
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ຫໍອັດຖິ / Shrine at Wat Si Muang, Vientiane, Laos
ຫໍອັດຖິ
ຍາທ່ານສົມເດັດ ຣາຊາຄຣູ ຄຳແດງ ດວງມະນີວົງ
ອະດີດເຈົ້າອະທິການ ວັດສິເມືອງ, ເມືອງສີສັດຕະນາກ, ນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ.
ອະດີດຄະນະກຳມາທິການ ບໍ່ລິຫານການສຶກສາສົງ ສູນກາງ
ອະດີດປະທານຜ້າປ່າ ພັດທະນາສັງຄົມ
ຊາຕະເມື່ອວັນທີ 6/08/1937, ລວມອາຍຸໄດ້ 76 ປີ, 56 ພັນສາ
ມໍລະນະພາບໃນວັນທີ 19/01/2013
Here I take a look at the Shrine to
The Venerable Rachaku Khamdeang Duangmanivong
The Abbot of Wat Si Muang, Sisattanak, Vientiane.
Head of The Lao Sangha Community.
Date of birth 6/08/1927
He practiced as a monk for 56 years.
Passed away aged 76
Vientiane: Wat Sisangvone
Here I take a look around the temple of Wat Sisangvone - a temple filled with allegorical figures, ornate carvings & fine paintings. Tucked away, behind a large memorial wall, the temple compound is an island sight surrounded by private homes, located not far from Phra That Luang. The main Sim is currently being painted on the inside and a new bell tower is in progress of being built. I find this temple quite fascinating.
Laos: Vientiane - Wat Aummone
Adjacent to the Russian Embassy in central Vientiane is the Buddhist Temple of Wat Aummone. The central Sim is quite graceful as the roof is supported on a series of thin pillars with the main hall located up a flight of stone stairs. The pillars give the effect of a veranda giving good views across the temple compound. The Meeting Pavilion for the lay people is also unusual in the fact that the coloured mural around the sides of the Hall are carved in relief.
Sung thong Food Garden Near Vientiane City of LAO PDR in South East Asia
A place to visit must once in a Life Sung thong Food Garden Near Vientiane City of LAO PDR in South East Asia
Wat Inpeng Temple in Vientiane Laos
Temple in Vientiane Laos
Discover Vientiane, Laos | VietnamesePrivateTours.com
Insider #Laos_tours with Vientiane, Laos' laid-back capital, mixes French colonial architecture with Buddhist temples such as the golden, 16th-century Pha That Luang, a national symbol. Along broad boulevards and tree-lined streets are notable shrines including Wat Si Saket, which features thousands of Buddha images, and Wat Si Muang, built on a Hindu shrine. Many bakeries, cafes and villas seem straight out of 19th-century Paris.
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LAOS: Wat simuang temple
Wat Si Muang is one of Vientiane’s most popular sites of worship, and offers a fascinating insight into how old animist beliefs have blended seamlessly with Theravada Buddhism. According to local legend, when the temple was being built in 1563 a young pregnant woman named Si Muang volunteered to sacrifice herself to appease the angry spirits. She threw herself into a hole in the ground where the building’s central pillar was to be placed, and was crushed when the massive pillar was lowered into position. This central pillar also formed the centre of the town that was springing up around Wat Si Muang, which to this day is revered as the ‘mother temple’ of Vientiane.
Laos: ວັດພະບາດ ໂພນສັນ - Wat Phabat Phonsan
Here I take a look around the fascinating Buddhist temple of Wat Phabat Phonsane in Bolikhamsai Province, Laos
The temple is located some 85 km south of Vientiane on Route 31 and is almost half way to the city of Paksan. Sitting on a rocky outcrop Wat Phabat is much revered for its large pha baat, Buddha footprint shrine and reclining Buddha figure. The whole is dominated by the recently renovated and gilded stupa, dating to 1933.
The complex also houses interesting kutis (monk cells) and belfry.
Rue Hengboun, Vientiane, Laos
Rue Hengboun, Vientiane City Center, Laos via Youtube Capture.
Wat Inpeng Temple : Vientiane, Laos : CY001
A tour of Wat Inpeng Temple in Vientiane, Laos.
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The Budharatanamondob at Wat That Foun, Vientiane, Laos
Here I take a close look at the recently completed Budharatanamondob Shrine at Wat That Foon. The temple is located in the centre of the city, close to the Morning Market (Talat Sao). Construction of the Shrine was begun on the 7th November 2010 and was completed on the 4th May 2013, being funded, for the most part, by private donations.
The Shrine is beautiful with exquisite carvings, reliefs and intricate fretwork. The interior is covered with more carvings and every surface covered with brightly coloured painted borders.