Wat Sibounheuang

Northern Laos


Wat Sibounheuang, the town's most evocative monastery, sports a lopsided gilded stupa and reclining Buddha in a delightful garden setting where the bare-brick ruins of the tiny original sǐm are reckoned to be from the early 14th century. The 'new' sǐm is covered in murals, including anti-adultery scenes in a style reminiscent of Matisse.

This building covers a mysterious 'hole' traditionally associated with singkhone spirit-ghosts who are placated in the Phaveth Festival (the 13th to the 15th day of the third Lao month) leading up to the February full moon.


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      "country": "Laos",
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