Description of the attraction
The temple complex of Wat Mai, which means the New Monastery, is one of the largest, most picturesque and photographed temples in Luang Prabang. It is located on the popular tourist street Sisawangwong, which used to be a market street, and is adjacent to the National Museum building.
The main buildings of the Wat Mai Monastery, founded by King Anurat, probably in 1796-1797, date from the beginning of the 19th century. The restoration of the wooden temple (sima) began in 1821 or 1822 during the reign of King Manthaturata. At the same time, the sanctuary was named the New Monastery. During that reconstruction, a double colonnaded porch was added at the main entrance and a less magnificent one at the back. Construction work on the sim, library, and temple ancillary building continued until the 1890s. A number of other buildings that are part of the New Monastery date back to the 20th century. Significant renovations of Wat Mai took place in 1943 and 1962.
The monastery has long been the royal temple and seat of Pra Sangharat, the Lao Buddhist patriarch. During the raids of Chinese gangs that ravaged much of Luang Prabang in 1887, Wat Mai was unharmed and became the storage site for the golden statue of Prabang Buddha. In 1947 this sculpture was transferred to the Royal Palace. In mid-April, during the Lao New Year celebrations, the statue is taken from the palace to a temporary pavilion in front of the Wat Mai Sim. For three days, believers have the opportunity to see Buddha Prabang and worship him.
The temple of Wat Mai is crowned with a five-level roof, which is not typical for Lao sacred structures. The front veranda, built along the entire façade, protects, first covered with black lacquer, and then gilded, a magnificent relief on the wall and doors. It was rebuilt in the late 1960s. It depicts scenes from the Ramayana. The interior of the temple is dominated by red and gold colors.
