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| Main Contents | Luang Prabang and Its Art | Furniture and Statuary | Beliefs and Religions | Population and Habitat |
Vat Chomsi or Vat Phou Si (Pavie, March 1888, T7/70) |
still |
| Originally built by King
Anourout in 1804, it was restored in 1914 and again in 1’6 when the 328-step
staircase was built. One of the interesting aspects of Phou Si hill lies in the legend
that surrounds it. Tradition has it that at the site of the sacred hill, there used to be
a deep pit that led to the center of the earth. Helped by villagers, a monk went down into
the pit and found an immense treasure. The villagers seized the treasure and buried the
monk alive by sealing the pit's mouth. However, armed with magical charms, the monk
succeeded in extricating himself after defeating the treasures seven guardians. News of
this murder attempt reached the King92s ears and he punished the villagers by condemning
them to take turns in beating drums, gongs and cymbals every three hours to stop the
dragons from disturbing mankind.
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Laos. Treasures of Luang Prabang |
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