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

Wat Mahathat 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 Mahathat.

Photo and Description

Wat Mahathat, also called the Temple of the Great Stupa, is one of the most ornate temples in Luang Prabang. It is located near the Mekong River on the southwestern slope of Mount Fousi. The temple was built in 1548 during the reign of King Sethathiratha. During a storm that hit the city in 1900, the sanctuary (sim) and the adjacent temple buildings were damaged. The sacred complex was restored in the first decade of the 20th century.

During the Lao New Year celebrations, monks from some of the city's temples walk in a festive procession to the Wat Mahathat sanctuary, where they perform dances for the guardian spirits of Luang Prabang.

On the territory of the temple you can climb the stairs, on which there are 7 statues of mythological snake naga. The current building of the temple dates back to 1910. The temple has a large two-tiered roof that drops almost to the ground. In the center of the roof can be seen the "dock from faa" - a decoration characteristic of many Lao temples. The temple is surrounded by a veranda. The front facade of the sim is especially richly decorated. The gold-plated pediment depicts a Dhamma wheel surmounted by a seven-tiered umbrella. The porch roof is supported by six columns decorated in black and gold. The walls of the temple are decorated with frescoes depicting scenes from the local version of the Ramayana.

Behind the sim is a large black stupa set on a square base. It was built in the middle of the 16th century. In the niches at the top of the stupa are gilded statues of Buddhas.

Around the temple there are several small stupas that store the ashes of the Lao princes.

We also recommend reading Ethnographic Museum in Rupe (Etnografski Muzej) description and photos - Croatia: Dubrovnik

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