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| One of my favorite photos. I love the early morning light on these women praying at That Luang. | Here you can see people carrying the Phrasat Pheung, Lao for "Wax Castle", as they converge on That Luang. Their elegant design is reminiscent at the same time of a palace, a temple and the sacred mountain. They are made the previous day, usually by a group comprising a family, a work unit or a residential block. They are lightweight constructions one or two metres in height, made of banana tree trunk and bamboo, mounted on two bamboo poles and decorated with multicoloured paper and thin leaves of wax from which they draw their names. They are then adorned with small objects and banks notes hanging on strings which are offerings to the monks. | I took this picture during the Phrasat Pheung procession. In the parade there was a large group of dancers (I think from the National School of Dance) accompanied by drums and cymbals. It was quite hypnotic and the dancers were mesmerizing... | |
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| I like this shot because it not only shows the That Luang Stupa, but the statue of King Xay Setthathirath. I think he looks quite regal with with necklace of lights! | The That Luang Stupa at twilight with the full moon. |
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| Praying early in the morning on the day of Tak Bat at That Luang. | The grounds of the That Luang come alive with all the Lao who come to visit. | In the top photo you can see that it is important that one make an offering of at least flowers and incense and these flowers could be purchased right outside the walls of the That Luang Stupa. I like the bottom photo that offers a wider view of the entrance gate to That Luang. |