Located just outside the peninsula, Wat Manorom (Wat Mano) was built to inter the ashes of King Samsenthai (1373-1416). It is possibly one of the oldest sites in the city, dating from the 14th century.
Wat Manorom is best known for housing one of Laos’ oldest Buddha images. The statue, originally six-metres high and weighing 12 tons, was cast in the Siamese Sukhothai style during King Samsenthai’s reign. The wat was reconstructed in 1818, then destroyed in 1887 by Chinese marauders the Black Flag Army—the same folks responsible for the destruction of Wat Visounnarath and Wat That Makmo four blocks away.
Striking. Photo: Cindy Fan
The statue also suffered damage in the attack and then later, during the conflict between France and Siam; the French are blamed for stealing its arms. In 1971, the wat was rebuilt and the armless statue repaired with cement and gold leaf. Today, Wat Manoram boasts a large main sim (congregational hall) and one of the town’s major schools in the temple system.
Find the wat at the corner of Manomai Road near the Sofitel Luang Prabang and the Provincial Police ... please log in to read the rest of this story.
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By
Cindy Fan.
Last updated on 27th November, 2018.
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