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Vat May Sisouvanna Phoumaram (Lefevre-Pontalis, June 1894 T2/3) |
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| Vat May which means New
Monastery is without doubt one of the finest in Luang Prabang. The Pra Sangkharat, highest
Buddhist dignitary in Laos has been residing here since 1894. Built in 1796 by King Anourout, Vat May was given its present name following the
restoration undertaken in 1821 by King Manthatourat. The construction of two colonnaded
porches, one in front of the monastery and the other behind, was decreed. In 1891, during the reign of King Oun Kham, his son Sakarine decreed the construction of the Eastern and Western galleries. The charm of Vat May comes from its four-tiered roof. The upper portion of the central double roof sheltering the nave is two-tiered. The lower section which extends over the length of the peripheral side aisle is really a lean-to roofing that runs on all four sides of the building. Most of he restoration work undertaken in 1943 and 1962 was done on the cement bas-relief decorations which were then re-coated with black lacquer followed by gilding. Scenes from daily life in Luang Prabang symbolizing the legend of the Vessantara-Jakarta were employed on these bas relief ornaments. |
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