Wat Mai temple description and photos - Laos: Luang Prabang (Topic)

Wat Mai temple description and photos - Laos: Luang Prabang. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The name in English is Wat Mai.

Photo and description

The temple complex of Wat Mai, which means the New Monastery, is one of the largest, most picturesque and photographed temples in Luang Prabang. It is located on the popular tourist street Sisawangwong, which used to be a market street and is adjacent to the National Museum.

The main buildings of the Wat Mai Monastery, founded by King Anurat, probably in 1796-1797, date back to the early 19th century. The restoration of the wooden temple (sima) began in 1821 or 1822 during the reign of King Manthathatura. At the same time, the sanctuary was named the New Monastery. During that reconstruction, a double colonnaded porch was added at the main entrance and a less magnificent one at the back. Construction work on the sim, library, and temple ancillary building continued until the 1890s. A number of other buildings that are part of the New Monastery date back to the 20th century. Significant reconstruction of Wat Mai took place in 1943 and 1962.

The monastery has long been a royal temple and the seat of Pra Sangharat, the Lao Buddhist patriarch. During the raids of Chinese gangs that ravaged most of Luang Prabang in 1887, Wat Mai was unharmed and became the storage site for the golden statue of Prabang Buddha. In 1947, this sculpture was transferred to the Royal Palace. In mid-April, during the Lao New Year celebrations, the statue is taken out of the palace to a temporary pavilion in front of the Wat Mai Sim. For three days, believers have the opportunity to see Buddha Prabang and worship him.

Wat Mai Temple is crowned with a five-level roof, not typical for Lao sacred buildings. The front veranda, built along the entire facade, protects, first covered with black lacquer, and then gilded, a magnificent relief on the wall and doors. It was restored in the late 1960s. It depicts scenes from the Ramayana. The interior of the temple is dominated by red and gold colors.

We also recommend reading Abbaye de Saint-Ruf d'Avignon description and photos - France: Avignon

Topic: Wat Mai temple description and photos - Laos: Luang Prabang.