Pha That Luang

Vientiane, Laos Travel Guide
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Pha That Luang, Vientiane, Laos
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Pha That Luang
Vientiane, Laos

Pha That Luang, or simply That Luang, is one of the two most recognisable landmarks in Vientiane, the other being the Patuxai Monument. It stands as both a symbol of Laos as well as the most important monument of the country. According to legend, the breastbone of the Buddha was brought to this site by Buddhist missionaries from India in the 4th Century BC.

Pha That Luang was constructed by King Setthathirat in 1566, on the site of an earlier Khmer temple. Its official name is Pha Jedi Lokajulamani, which means "Precious Stupa of the World". The name That Luang simply means "Great Stupa". It is a multi-tier stupa with each level representing a different stage of Buddhist enlightenment. The lowest level represents the material world; the second level represents the world of appearance; the highest level represents the world of nothingness.

Pha That Luang is surrounded by a quadrangular cloister that measures 85 meters on each side and containing exquisite examples of classic Lao and Khmer sculptures. The cloister's windows were made especially tiny by King Chao Anuvong, hoping that it would be a defense against attack. They were useless, as it turned out. When the Siamese, Burmese and Chinese invaded Vientiane in the 18th and 19th Centuries, they left Pha That Luang in ruins.

Pha That Luang was restored 1931 by the French. The main stupa, which is 45 meters (146 ft) high was regilded in 1995, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Originally there were four wats on each side of That Luang. Today only two remained, the one on the south, Wat That Luang Tai, and the one to the north, Wat That Luang Neua. Wat That Luang Neua is the residence of the Supreme Patriach (Pha Sangkharat) of Lao Buddhism. At the entrance to That Luang is the statue of King Setthathirat. If you visit Vientiane in mid-November, you may have the opportunity of witnessing the That Luang Festival, Vientiane's biggest annual event.



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