Explore Phra Keo Lao Pagoda, where the sacred Jade Buddha is kept
The land of a million elephants is a Buddhist country with many temples with unique and sacred architecture... visited and worshiped by tourists from near and far every year. Among them is Phra Keo Lao Pagoda. Join Vietnam Travel to explore a circle of temples kept by the Royal Family as sacred national treasures
Some features of Phra Keo Lao Pagoda
Phra Keo Pagoda (also known as Haw Phra Kaew), is the Emerald Buddha Pagoda of Vientiane Capital. In the past, Kings and members of the royal family often came here to pray, so the project is also known as Royal Pagoda.
In 1565, the pagoda was built by King Setthathirat as a place to keep the jade Buddha statue. However, after the death of his father, King Phothisarat, he was forced to leave Lanna - where he was ruling - to return to Vientiane and bring this statue from Chiang Mai with him. However, today the statue is no longer in the temple but is in another temple in Thailand.
It is no coincidence that the statue is no longer in Laos. It was all due to the fierce attack of the Thai people invading the land of a million elephants, under the command of general Chakri (who would later be King Rama I) to pillage Vientiane. They brought the Emerald Buddha statue back to Thailand and it is currently located at a temple in Bangkok called Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha).
Phra Keo Lao Pagoda was destroyed after that fierce attack. Step by step the Laotians rebuilt the temple, but in 1828 the Thais once again attacked this place.
After attacking Laos, the Thai king at that time, a Buddhist, redid a statue with the same shape to return it to the land of a million elephants. And this statue was placed at the location where the statue was taken away. In 1936 and 1942, under the supervision of Prince Souvanna Phouma (later the first Prime Minister of Laos) who was trained in architecture in France, he gradually rebuilt Phra Keo Pagoda.
Explore the architecture of Phra Keo Lao Pagoda
The first time you set foot in the temple, visitors will be impressed with the unique architecture. The project is built on a stone foundation, with elaborate and sharp carvings right on the columns, walls, and ceiling of the temple. Running along the stairs to the pagoda are images of two dragons carved meticulously and sophisticatedly. Notice the window panels, which are also decorated with Apsara statues...
Coming here, visitors can admire Buddha statues with many different expressions. Important positions of the statue such as the head, chest or abdomen... are all plated with gold, which has great meaning. Lao people believe that these statues will bring prosperity and happiness.
Not stopping there, inside Phra Keo Lao Pagoda, there are also precious and rare memorabilia stored, including the throne, Khmer Buddha statue... In addition, there are many works sculpted from materials. wood, or inscriptions carved on stone that are still preserved today... are considered and treasured by Lao people as national treasures.
Opening time to visit Phra Keo Pagoda
On weekdays, Phra Keo Lao pagoda is open with the following time frame: morning is from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and afternoon is from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visitors need to know the time to conveniently explore and admire the temple's architecture.
Some attractions near Phra Keo Lao Pagoda
Patuxai Arc de Triomphe
At first glance, the Patuxa Arc de Triomphe has features and trends similar to works in France but still carries the typical breath of Laos. The work uses very Lao motifs, such as the image of Kinari (a half-bird, half-human woman), the Rama epic, and reliefs. The Patuxai Arc de Triomphe was built to commemorate the Laotian soldiers who heroically defended the country during the resistance war against the French.
Buddha Park – Buddha Park
One of the places that attracts many tourists to visit when coming to the land of a million elephants is the Buddha Park. There are more than 200 sculptures made of cement with Hindu and Buddhist influences, with diverse expressions. In a quiet space, visitors can admire works of art to gain insight into the religion and spiritual life of the Lao people.
That Luang Tower - a work associated with Buddhist culture
Another building associated with Lao Buddhist culture near Phra Keo Lao pagoda is That Luang tower. The building was built in 1566, shaped like a wine barrel, 44 meters high and 69 meters wide. In particular, the top of the stupa is plated with 500kg of gold, creating a brilliant beauty. In addition, the work is also printed on the national emblem and banknotes of Laos.
Coming here, visitors will certainly have more or less useful information about Phra Keo Lao Pagoda. In addition to admiring and exploring the architecture, many visitors from near and far come here to pray for peace, prosperity and happiness in their families.
