HOME -> COUNTRIES -> LAOS -> VIENTIANE -> HAW PHA KAEW

The temple Haw Pha Kaew, also known as Wat Phra Kaeo, has a very controversial past. This controversy revolves around the Emerald Buddha, one of the most sacred items in all of Southeast Asia and the symbol of Thailand.

According to legend, the Emerald Buddha was found when lightning struck a Chedi at Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao in Chiangrai province, Thailand, in 1434 AD. A statue covered in stucco was found inside. The stucco was removed and the Emerald Buddha was discovered. It was kept in Lampang, Thailand, until 1468 when it was moved to Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The King of Lan Na had no sons but his daughter married the King of Lan Xang and a son was born who would become the future King Setthathirat (King Chaichettha in Thai). Both Kings died almost at the same time and he was given the chance to become King of Lan Na, but instead returned to Lan Xang to become King, taking the Emerald Buddha with him.

Also at this time, Burma invaded Siam. Chiang Mai, the capital of Lan Na was invaded and conquered in 1558. Because of the danger posed by the Burmese, King Setthathirat moved the capital to it's current location, Vientiane, in 1560. Again, he brought the Emerald Buddha with him.

In 1565, Haw Pha Kaew was constructed in Vientiane to house the Emerald Buddha. The Emerald Buddha stayed there until it was taken back to Siam by Phraya Chakri, the future King Rama I of Thailand, in 1778. Haw Pha Kaew stood until 1827 when Vientiane was destroyed by Siamese troops in revenge for then King Anouvong attacking Siam.

It stood in ruins until it was finally rebuilt in the 1930s. The restoration was performed by Prince Souvanna Phouma upon his return to Laos following his engineering studies in France. The work on Haw Pha Kaew represented some of the first steps of the Lao people to reclaim their national identify following centuries of colonization.

Today, the reconstructed Haw Pha Kaew serves as a museum containing priceless works of Lao art. Unfortunately, photography is not allowed inside the museum.

The following pictures were taken on the grounds of Haw Pha Kaew during April, 2004.


Displaying 12 images out of 17 found.
Click on thumbnails for full size images.
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Hand of a bronze Buddha statue in the posture of 'preaching on reason' at the entrance to Haw Pha Kaew Temple. Vientiane, Laos.
Viewed 327 times
9 with 1 votes

Hand of a bronze Buddha statue in the posture of 'preaching on reason' at the entrance to Haw Pha Kaew Temple. Vientiane, Laos. (lavc0130)
Gilden front of Haw Pha Kaew Temple. Vientiane, Laos.
Viewed 427 times
1 with 1 votes

Gilden front of Haw Pha Kaew Temple. Vientiane, Laos. (lavc0131)
Balustrade in the shape of a Naga leading to Haw Pha Kaew Temple. Vientiane, Laos.
Viewed 383 times
9 with 1 votes

Balustrade in the shape of a Naga leading to Haw Pha Kaew Temple. Vientiane, Laos. (lavc0132)
Hand of a bronze Buddha statue in the posture of 'preaching on reason' at the entrance to Haw Pha Kaew Temple. Vientiane, Laos.
Viewed 399 times
6 with 2 votes

Hand of a bronze Buddha statue in the posture of 'preaching on reason' at the entrance to Haw Pha Kaew Temple. Vientiane, Laos. (lavc0133)


Gilden front of Haw Pha Kaew Temple featuring a three-headed elephant design. Vientiane, Laos.
Viewed 406 times
10 with 1 votes

Gilden front of Haw Pha Kaew Temple featuring a three-headed elephant design. Vientiane, Laos. (lavc0160)
Gilden front of Haw Pha Kaew Temple. Vientiane, Laos.
Viewed 412 times
5 with 2 votes

Gilden front of Haw Pha Kaew Temple. Vientiane, Laos. (lavc0161)
Balustrade in the shape of a Naga leading to Haw Pha Kaew Temple. Vientiane, Laos.
Viewed 417 times
7.33 with 3 votes

Balustrade in the shape of a Naga leading to Haw Pha Kaew Temple. Vientiane, Laos. (lavc0162)
Decorative bas relief in a floral design at the base of the pillars around Haw Pha Kaew Temple. Vientiane, Laos.
Viewed 356 times
6 with 1 votes

Decorative bas relief in a floral design at the base of the pillars around Haw Pha Kaew Temple. Vientiane, Laos. (lavc0163)


Balustrade in the shape of a Naga leading to Haw Pha Kaew Temple. Vientiane, Laos.
Viewed 375 times
7 with 2 votes

Balustrade in the shape of a Naga leading to Haw Pha Kaew Temple. Vientiane, Laos. (lavc0164)
Bronze Buddha statue in the posture of 'preaching on reason' at the entrance to Haw Pha Kaew Temple. Vientiane, Laos.
Viewed 361 times
6 with 1 votes

Bronze Buddha statue in the posture of 'preaching on reason' at the entrance to Haw Pha Kaew Temple. Vientiane, Laos. (lavc0165)
Disfigured bronze Buddha image on the veranda around Haw Pha Kaew Temple. Vientiane, Laos.
Viewed 352 times
6 with 1 votes

Disfigured bronze Buddha image on the veranda around Haw Pha Kaew Temple. Vientiane, Laos. (lavc0166)
Decorative bas relief in a floral design at the base of Haw Pha Kaew Temple. Vientiane, Laos.
Viewed 352 times
7 with 1 votes

Decorative bas relief in a floral design at the base of Haw Pha Kaew Temple. Vientiane, Laos. (lavc0167)


Displaying 12 images out of 17 found.
Click on thumbnails for full size images.
[1-12] [13-17] [NEXT]

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