The national symbol and the most important religious monument in Laos, Pha That Luang is a gold-covered Buddhist stupa. It sits in the centre of Vientiane and is said to dates back to the 3rd century. During the course of time it was destroyed and rebuilt several times and the current version was constructed in 1930s. The stupa is 44 metres high and consists of three levels.
The Boun That Luang, ot That Luang stupa festival is an annual affair held during the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, which nornally falls between the end of October and end of November. All days of the festival – from three to seven – are filled with cermons and round the clock festivities.
Some of the highlights of the festival include a festive wax castle procession which starts at Wat Si Muang and goes all way up to That Luang with lay people then making offerings to the monks. Carrying jossticks and candles the procession circumnavigates the stupa trice honouring the Lord Buddha.
The festival is an important occasion in the Lao calendar and it draws to the capital people from across the country and from abroad.
That Luang Festival Starts This Weekend
News in Asia
The annual That Luang Festival and Trade Fair will take place between November, 18 and November, 22 in Vientiane, the capital of Laos.