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That Luang – Pha That Luang (or That Luang) is located about 3 km from the city center north of Vientiane, That Luang is a very important landmark in Laos and the holy land of Buddhism in this country, is the pride of the Laos people.
The national symbol of Laos
The Pha That Luang is the most important Buddhist monument in Laos. Because its architecture is a prime example of Lao architecture and history, the temple has become symbolic of the country itself. Its image is depicted on Lao’s paper money and national emblem. According to legend, in 1566, when King Settathirath moved the Laotian capital from Luang Prabang to Vientiane, he ordered the construction of a stupa in the shape of a wine urn over the ruins of a 13th-century Hindu temple. This gilded temple is a stupa, a tomb or tower where a relic of the Buddha is enshrined. The gold-covered 45m tall Buddhist monument was built in the 16th century. The modern-day temple is not the original, but a complete reconstruction by the French in the 1930s after the original stupa was destroyed in 1827.
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Pha That Luang Festival
As a Buddhist country, Laos is home to over 1,600 pagodas scattered all over the country, and there are hundreds of them in Vientiane alone. Besides exploring the temples themselves, we can also experience the country’s most important Buddhist festival – The Boun That Luang, held in Pha That Luang during the full moon of the 12th lunar month following the East calendar. The festival lasts for three days and each day includes different customs that should be strictly adhered to by believers and respected visitors. There will be hundreds of stalls selling food, clothes, and various crafts and filled with numerous activities such as carnival rides, games and music performances, and so on. Most importantly, there is an opportunity to witness thousands of Laotians flock to the grounds to pay respect to the golden stupa and to give alms to the monks. If you plan to visit Laos during November of this year, don’t miss Pha That Luang and The Boun That Luang Festival!
