Lao Pride
This is my entry for the Blue Ribbon Photos contest at A Cowboy’s Wife blog. This month the theme is Sapphire, so I’m submitting my photo of a bejeweled temple roof in Vientiane, Laos.
This is part of the That Luang temple complex.
The That Luang temple is the national symbol of Laos. It was built in the 16th century, destroyed by Thai invaders in the 1800’s (rumor has it they thought there was gold inside the idols, so they chopped the heads off the Buddahs. Made of stone!), and rebuilt by the French in 1900 when Laos was a part of their Indochina colony.
Every year the That Luang Festival draws Lao people from all over the world; they come to offer alms and flowers to the monks.
When night falls the stupa is lit with beautiful lights, and celebratory fireworks are displayed.
You can also get souvenirs from all over Laos via the week-long trade fair. Now the fair is held at the ITECC center, a few blocks away. It used to be in the parking lot of the temple but things got too crowded.
This year the dates are November 3 to November 9th
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You have until September 20th if you would like to enter the photo contest, too!
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07 September 2009, 4:59 am
What an absolutely gorgeous picture. I have never been to Laos, I bet it’s beautiful. I have been to India, and that pic reminded me of some of the shrines they have during the festivals there (of course on a smaller scale!).
07 September 2009, 1:53 pm
Gorgeous shot but I also appreciated the history behind it. Sigh. Laos. Yet another destination to add to my Bucket List.
09 September 2009, 3:22 am
That’s a beautiful picture!