Pha That Luang: The Great Golden Stupa

Pha That Luang, or the Great Stupa, is a gleaming, gold-covered Buddhist monument in the heart of Vientiane, Laos. It is considered the most important national monument in Laos and a symbol of national identity. The stupa is believed to house a sacred relic of the Buddha. Legend says that in the 3rd century BC, missionaries from India erected a stupa here to enclose a piece of Buddha's breastbone. Archaeological evidence suggests that Pha That Luang was constructed on top of a smaller stupa built during the Khmer empire in the 12th or 13th century. In the mid-16th century, King Setthathirath moved the capital to Vientiane and ordered the construction of the current temple in 1566. Over the centuries, Pha That Luang has undergone numerous reconstructions due to invasions and natural disasters. The most recent restoration occurred in the 1930s. The architecture of Pha That Luang includes many references to Lao culture and identity. The stupa is 45 meters high, and its base measures 69 meters on each side. The entire structure is covered in gold leaf, with only the pinnacle containing real gold. The stupa has a unique pyramid-like shape and is surrounded by 30 smaller stupas. The three levels of the stupa symbolize the path to enlightenment from Earth to Sky according to Buddhist philosophy. Around the stupa are gardens, temples, monuments, and a palace where monks live and study. Two temples remain of the original four, known as Wat That Luang Tai and Wat That Luang Neua. Pha That Luang is a center of religion and culture, teaching people about Laos' ancient history. The annual That Luang Festival in November draws thousands of visitors.