Wat Inpeng, Vientiane

While passing through Setthathirath road, no one can miss the multicolored Wat Inpeng. With an image of Lord Indra at the center of entrance gate, Wat Xieng Nyeun in Laotian is very different from what I have seen earlier.

 

 entrance gate

History:

• The temple dates back to 1700s.
  
• It is said that during the construction of this temple, Pha Nya In(Indra) took the form of an old man and assisted in making the Buddha image. This legend gave wat the name, Wat Inpeng.
  
• Although the wat was built in the 16th century, it was destroyed in 1827 when Siam invaded Laos.
• the wat is active with monks residing in the compound, a library, many Buddhist structures and a beautiful sim or ordination hall.
  

 

 main entrance

The entrance is through a large elaborate gate. Seven-headed naga flank the gate guarding the temple.

 

 naga close up

Indra on top of the gate

Since, Pha Nya In or Indra helped in the construction of the huge Buddha inside the sim, an image of his sits on the top of entrance gate.

He sits with one leg on a red pedestal and the other hanging down. In his left hand, he holds a trident or trishul. The three iron spikes are identified with the three prongs of Indra's thunderbolt or vajra. He is sometimes seen holding the thunderbolt as well.

He has a crown on his head and sports a lot of jewelry.

rear view of the gate

The tails of seven-headed naga at either side of gate reach to the back of Indra.

 another entrance gate

Here, the gate is flanked by standing lions on a pedestal.

sim

 In green and gold, the wat's sim is very attractive.

 

The floral motifs gable is decorated with wood carvings with a Dhamma wheel in the center. Above the gable, an image of Buddha sits on a lotus.

 

the three-tiered roof of sim has a dok so faa at the center

Dok so faa is an ornamental arrangement which consists of 9 miniature pagodas, topped with 9-tiered parasols. It is said to be made from bronze and gold.

Two lions stand at entrance guarding the sim.

The side entrance have naga beside the stairs.

naga at side entrance

Naga with mythical fish

 

The sides of the porch too are richly decorated depicting scenes from Buddha's life. One scene depicts Gautam Buddha taking his seven strides as soon as he was born, symbolizing that this would be his last birth.

main entrance to sim

The murals on the roof of porch and the entrance doors are exquisite.

the wood carvings on side entrance is as beautiful as the central door

more murals on the side wall of porch

more on the other side

the roof has not been spared

more on the other side

richly decorated door

window in sim

inside of sim, the sim pillar are decorated in gold and red and give a very royal look

we were very fortunate as there was going to be a prayer ceremony and we sat in a corner observing.

The bricks and lacquer image of Buddha

prayer ceremony

Initially, we were hesitant in taking pictures of the ceremony, but I saw some clicking pictures. I took some pictures. The atmosphere was very peaceful and soothing.

The Buddhist chants which are in Pali, are chanted in chorus by the monks. People sit with their feet pointed backwards and listen to the chanting.

 

 I saw one woman read along with a bowl of offerings by her side.

hang hod, which is used to bathe Buddha on special occassions

another gate

A golden stupa stands just near the entrance.

Other places of interest on the ground:

Apart from sim, there are many things which interest a tourist.

As soon as you enter, small stupas line the boundary of wat.

a small temple with Buddha in bhumisparsh mudra

a golden stupa at the entrance of one gate

rock depicting Mon and Khmer period

Ho Trai:

On the north side of sim, is a square stone building or a room which is decorated with stone sculpting all around. Guards stand outside the entrance of the library. Ho Trai is used to keep the Tripitaka, which are manuscripts written on dried palm leaf and contain the teachings of Buddha.

Ho Trai or library

The stucco all around gives an entirely different feel to the place.

guards standing outside Ho Trai

undamaged pieces which survived the attack

a shrine

Lord Indra

King Settathirath

Phra Mae Thorani

By the side of a pond, which was dry when we visited is a statue of Mae Thorani or the mother earth, wringing her hair. The water drowned the armies of Mara, who tried to stop Buddha from meditating and he touched the earth asking the mother earth to come to his rescue.

golden slender stupa near the pond

drum tower next to golden stupa

kuti or resident monks living quarters

Canopies were there with tables and chairs, food was going to be served after the ceremony inside the sim got over.

another entrance

Opening hours:

The temple opens daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Entrance fee: Entrance to temple is free