25-12-2015
The Wat Xieng Thong found at the tip of the Luang Prabang peninsula is one of Laos most beautiful and richly decorated temples.The Wat is a Royal temple built by King Setthathirath in 1559 on the banks of the Mekong river. It is one of the few temples that was not destroyed during the Black Flag Army invasion of 1887. There are two entrances to the temple. The road entry is through an elaborate gateway topped with a circular stupa. The Mekong river entry used to be the main entry point in previous centuries. It was the entry that the King used when he arrived by boat from the Royal Palace. A long, broad stairway from the Mekong river leads to the temple; near the top are two large white lions guarding the grounds.
The Wat Xieng Thong’s most impressive is the temple’s congregation hall. Both the exterior and interior are very extensively decorated with intricate gold stenciling on black lacquer.
The impressive structure is built in the Luang Prabang style, its sweeping roof extending almost to the ground. The roof consists of a large, 3 tiered central section flanked by several 2 tiered sections. On top of the central part is a gilded “Dok so faa”, an ornamental element consisting of 17 miniature stupas covered by 7 tiered parasols. Worship place of the Standing Buddha is adorned with colorful glass mosaics of flower motifs and two mythological creatures half human, half bird. The carved and gilded doors give access to the small Prayer room; its interior walls are red covered with gold stenciling. At the back wall of here is a large standing Buddha image. The bronze, gilded image is in the Abhaya mudra, expressing fearlessness.
