Wat That Luang Tai, Vientiane

Surrounding Wat That Luang are several Buddhist structures. The entry is free in these places.  When That Luang was constructed in the 16th century, four temples were built around it, one in each direction. Now, only two remain. To the North is Wat That Luang Neua and to the South is Wat That Luang Tai.

 

 Statue of King Setthatirat

In front of Wat That Luang, stands a statue of King Setthatirat, who was the King of Lan Xang Kingdom and reconstructed this monument.

 

Wat Luang Tai:

On the south of golden stupa, stands a three tiered Wat Luang Tai.

Wat facing Pha Luang

The boundary of wat is decorated with stupas all around.

stupa forming the wat wall

entrance gate

 

 

Entrance gate on the north side has multi tiered mini temple on top with an image of Buddha in center. It is flanked by two small stupas.

 

Wat Luang Tai temple

The wat is guarded by lions and stairs by green colored naga. The entrance inside has beautiful gilded doors in red and gold. Unfortunately, the door was closed at the time of my visit.

 rear view of wat, stairs guarded by naga

rear view, false door

On the side of wat is a pavilion with many Buddha images inside.

 

 Buddha images

Very close to the earlier pavilion is a sheltered open room with many more Buddha images.

Nalagiri, the elephant kneels in front of Buddha

  

 reclining Buddha

On the side towards another entrance gate is the reclining Buddha.

small statues of Buddha at its base

the wheel of Dhamma on feet

 

the other entrance

top of entrance gate

Indra, Rama, Ganesha

 Indra and Brahma in front of sala

To the side of temple is an open pavilion or sala. The beautifully decorated sala has columns all around.

Roof of sala decorated with dok so faa and chofaa. The decorations represent Mount Meru or Sumeru and is said to be the center of universe.

entrance to sala

 

 sala guarded by two-headed naga

the fresco start from the moment you set eyes on sala

fresco inside the sala

 

 colorful fresco decorate the walls of sala

 

 

Buddha images in various mudras in corner of sala

Abbot's chair

fresco depicting early life of Gautam

In another part of sala are fresco depicting life of Gautam after he became Buddha

In a corner of sala is a gong, drum and hang hod.

Buddha sits in bhumisparsh mudra, Mae Thorani or mother earth goddess wringing water from her hair.

 

entrance on another side

 Next to sala is monastery

 

 monastery

 

Ho Kong or the drum tower

 

Across this wat is Hor Dhammasabha Buddhist convention hall and Wat That Luang Neua.