Laos - Luang Prabang - Haw Pha Bang, The Temple Of The Royal Palace
The Haw Pha Bang (Ho Pha Bang), Royal or Palace Chapel, is located at the northeastern corner of the grounds of the Royal Palace Museum. Although it is a new structure, it is built in the traditional style and is tied directly to the history and traditions of this World Heritage City. The Haw Pha Bang has been designed as the permanent home/shrine for the Pha (or Pra) Bang, Luang Prabang's namesake and most sacred image. The image, brought to Luang Prabang in 1359, earlier had places of honor in various city wats (including Wisunalat and Mai). Most recently it has been on display in the Royal Palace Museum from which location it is carried to Wat Mai for ritual cleansing during the city's New Year's celebration. Work on this permanent resting place for the Pha Bang began in 1963 during the reign of Sisavang Vatthana (1959-1975). Originally to be funded by small contributions from all over the country, construction of the shrine was interrupted by invasions, wars, revolution and the end of the monarchy. The accession of the communist Lao People's Revolutionary Party, popularly known as the Pathet Lao, to power in 1975 led to attacks on Buddhism and the monarchy; it also led to the denigration of the Pha Bang that was identified with the royalist tradition. But government policies and practices changed dramatically, at least toward Theravada Buddhism and Lao folk religion. Currently state officials take part in the New Year's and other celebrations that embody the historic Lao religious traditions.
Laos - Luang Prabang - Haw Pha Bang, The Temple Of The Royal Palace
The Haw Pha Bang (Ho Pha Bang), Royal or Palace Chapel, is located at the northeastern corner of the grounds of the Royal Palace Museum. Although it is a new structure, it is built in the traditional style and is tied directly to the history and traditions of this World Heritage City. The Haw Pha Bang has been designed as the permanent home/shrine for the Pha (or Pra) Bang, Luang Prabang's namesake and most sacred image. The image, brought to Luang Prabang in 1359, earlier had places of honor in various city wats (including Wisunalat and Mai). Most recently it has been on display in the Royal Palace Museum from which location it is carried to Wat Mai for ritual cleansing during the city's New Year's celebration. Work on this permanent resting place for the Pha Bang began in 1963 during the reign of Sisavang Vatthana (1959-1975). Originally to be funded by small contributions from all over the country, construction of the shrine was interrupted by invasions, wars, revolution and the end of the monarchy. The accession of the communist Lao People's Revolutionary Party, popularly known as the Pathet Lao, to power in 1975 led to attacks on Buddhism and the monarchy; it also led to the denigration of the Pha Bang that was identified with the royalist tradition. But government policies and practices changed dramatically, at least toward Theravada Buddhism and Lao folk religion. Currently state officials take part in the New Year's and other celebrations that embody the historic Lao religious traditions.