Temples of Laos

Historical sites included museums, architecture, forests, mountains, waterfalls, birds singing and traditional customs and culture. The temple is one of the most attractive to examine about Lao culture. Those who don't understand about religion say that the temple is the place for offerings and place for lazy people.
In fact, the temple is very important for Lao people and their daily lives. This land was formerly called Souvannaphoum, or Lanexang kingdom, but today it is called Lao PDR.

In the early times, Lao people believed in ghosts like Phifa , the sky, Phithene , the god, Phitack, the rice field ghost. Laos was Buddhist when Kunluanglimao was governor of Ai-Lao in 68 AD. (Buddhist calendar in the year of 612). But after the Lao moved to Lanexang territory, they believe in the ghosts. When king Fang united the nation and Nang Keokenggna, his wife requested that he bring king Buddhiwm of Langkavog or Hinagnane from Cambodia. In 1329 (Buddhist calendar 1902) Phra Maha Pasaman, an old monk and Phra Maha Theplangka followed by 20 monks and 3 wise men brought Buddhism from Cambodia. They brought in the Buddha image made

They brought in the Buddha image made by five different metals called Phrabang. Following Phra Maha Pasaman there were a number of technicians such as: blacksmiths, coppersmiths and goldsmiths who made the Buddha image. Since then, many temples have been built for monks, novices and their followers to conduct Buddhist teachings and organize Buddhist ceremonies. - To enter to the temple people should pay respects from their bodies, words and hearts. Entering into the temple yard, it is cleaner and more beautiful than other places. The temple is more beautiful than houses because the villagers offers their best things to the temple properties. therefore, temples are the great heritage for the whole sociaty and the nation. In the past, the temple was the center place for donations and the production center for Lao culture. To establish the village, people like to build the temple as well. Some villages have more than one temple. As we have seen, there are many pagodas and temples in Luangphrabang and Vientiane , because these two cities are the capitals of the nation. According to the history before the Siamese invasion, Vientiane had more than 120 temples. The famous temples in Luangphrabang are :

To enter to the temple people should pay respect from their bodies, words, and hearts. Entering into the temple yard, it is cleaner and more beautiful than other places. The temple is more beautiful than houses because the villagers offer their best things to the temple properties. Therefore, temples are the great heritage for the whole society and the nation. In the past, the temple was the center place for donations and the production center for Lao culture. To establish the village, people like to build the temple as well. Some villages have more than one temple. There are many pagodas and temples in Luangphrabang and Vientiane, because these two cities are the capitals of the nation. According to the history before the Siamese invasion, Vientiane had more than 120 temples. The famous temples in Luangphrabang are :

The famous temples in Luangphrabang are :

Wat Manolom built by Choa Samsenethai, son of FaNgum King in the 14th century (1378-79),
Wat Visoune built by Chao Vixounenalath 1540,
Wat Xiangthong built by Sayset Thathirath in 1560, Wat Sene Soukalam by Kingkitsalath in 1718,
Wat Luang by Manthatoulath in 1818 and
Wat Mai built by Chao Souvannaphoummaram in the 15-16 century.

In Vientiane:

Wat Phrakeo built in 1565,
Wat Sisaket 1824 by Anouvong,
Wat Ong Tue in the 15th century,
Wat Inpeng in 16th century,
Wat Thatluang, Wat Sokphaluang, Wat Simoung...

In Savannakhet:

Wat Xiagnaphoum,
Wat Xaignamonkhoune ...

In Pakse:

Wat Pho,
Wat prabath,
Wat Phou Champasak ....

These temples above are mainly in the big cities and along the Mekong . Others in the mountainous and remote provinces like Houaphan, Xiangkhoang, Salavan, Attapue were almost destroyed by the war.