The That Phonh stupa in Savannakhet province. - VT
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): Even if it’s very hot or raining, many people come to the That Phonh stupa in Savannakhet province each day, hoping their visit will bring good fortune because of the powers attributed to this revered monument.
This stupa is hugely popular and is renowned as a must-see for visitors to the province’s Xayphouthong district.
Lao and Thai visitors made up the majority of those coming to the stupa for the purposes of worship, merit making and religious ceremonies, which they hope will bring them contentment and success in life.
One elderly man told me he has been assisting with religious ceremonies at the stupa from sunrise to sunset most days, and that lots of people come to worship there.
“It’s crowded here every day, especially on the eighth, fifteenth, twenty- ninth and thirtieth days of the lunar calendar months. People bring millions of kip in income for the province each day,” he said with a smile.
According to legend, as recounted by the Savannakhet provincial Tourism Department concerning Buddha Lord Khatthanam, the That Phonh stupa was built on a Wednesday in the 12th month of the year 236 in the Buddhist Era, by a very old expert in Buddhist traditions.
He hired craftsmen from India and spent a great deal of money to build four stupas, namely That Pranom, Hang stupa, That Phonh stupa and That Serrngsoom stupa (located near Nong Han Lake in Thailand).
A nobleman from Xiendong offered some land for That Phonh, saying that whoever made a house and lived there and planted a small farm around the stupa, should make offerings to show their respect and care for the stupa.
Local people hold a ceremony to pay their respects at the stupa on the full moon day of the 11th month every year. They offer 12 kilograms of pounded green rice grain and 166 trays of food.
On the full moon day of the third month, they offer 400 balls of khaoji (grilled rice balls), in the hope that their offerings will bring them good health and prosperity.
Every year early in February, Savannakhet province holds a special event to celebrate the That Phonh stupa, when people from around Laos and neighbouring countries come to worship.
The festival not only serves to preserve Lao traditions, but also creates extra income for local people through the sale of goods.
That Phonh stupa is about 50km from Savannakhet provincial capital along Road No. 13 South, or about 30km if you drive along the road beside the Mekong River.
Visitors can also make an excursion to the Heuan Hin (Stone House) about 20km away.
Those coming from other countries can enter Laos at the Second Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, the Savan-Lao Bao border crossing, or Savannakhet International Airport.
Other places of interest to visitors are the French-style buildings left over from colonial days and the remnants of the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
Savannakhet authorities are upgrading the province’s tourist attractions and improving services by strengthening the skills of hospitality personnel and creating better infrastructure, hoping that high standards will attract more visitors.
The province, located about 480km from Vientiane, is full of fascinating sights and stunning landscapes.
Among these are Dong Ling (monkey forest), Tad Phalong and Salen waterfalls, as well as treks through protected areas and the chance to see some rare wildlife.
There are also the Xayyaphoum and Taleo temples as well as the Hotay Pidok manuscript repository, a stone house and stone artefacts, and several villages are home to members of the Phouthai ethnic group.
Annual events include the rocket and boat racing festivals and Boun That Phonh stupa festival.
