On Buddhist day, which was May 23, I went to That Luang temple, which is was one of the most famous historical sites in Laos that tourist must visit. Before, I describe my feeling about the hot day at That Luang. I will tell you brief history of it.

That Luang was built for forth time, first it was built during the first Vientiane governor call” Chanthabouly Pasithisak”, 3 century for keeping the Buddha lord from India after the death of Buddha At that time, it was a rise of Buddhism speeded in South East Asia on the same time of King Asoka reign. That Luang at that time was very small made of stone.

After that, during King Xaysetha reign, he rebuilt the That Luang in 1560 and finish in 1566 ( 16 Century)after he moved Capital from Luang Phabang Province to Vientiane. That Luang is golden gold, height 45 M, and has 30 small stupas surround the big one. Later, in1880. During the reign of King Anouvong, the last king of Lan Xang Kingdom was invaded by Siamese. Siamese destroyed every temple, burn the palace and also destroyed the big stupa, they took value things from it and burned, which made Vientiane become the place where no one live for many years.

In 1910, there were group of architecture rebuilt That Luang, and in 1975 after the Laos government declared the independent, it was rebuilt and painted in gold as we see today.
Today, That Luang become the symbol of Laos, if you come to Laos, but you didn’t visit it, it means you are not reached Laos. All pictures that you will see was taken by me, every corner that you will not see from other websites. All pics was taken during 2 P.M, which was very hot.

To conclude, when I walked around the stupa, I felt I walk to history where I can see my greatest king and many Lao people were building it. Those pictures occurred in my brain and I will take all detail that I know to teach next generation about Lao root.

Posted by sphoudavong General