Laos That Luang Festival

That Laung is a stupa, which is a burial for the remains of a cremated person.  That Luang stupa is reportedly contains relics of the Buddha.  At this festival, pilgrims pay homage to Buddha and give alms to the monks.  The monks are from all over Laos.  There were thousands of monks receiving alms as well as tens of thousands attending.

The day before the festival, there is a processional from downtown to That Luang.  People carried miniature temples made from banana stems and decorated with flowers, money and other offerings.

The festival is the morning of the full moon.  In order to beat the rush, we got up at 5:15 AM to leave for the festival.  Parking was at a premium.  People were sitting on straw mats with their alms which included money, sticky rice and cake.  When we got there, monks were sitting at tables ready to receive alms.  We did participate in giving alms.  At about 7:30 AM prayers were coming over loudspeakers.  People lit candles and were praying.  Many people were walking around taking pictures.

 

Andy and Mao

Mao, Kris, Ruthann and Chet