ancient footprints are everywhere

OPENING TRADITIONAL LAO MUSICAL GROUP FOR THE FESTIVAL

     

     I settled into my new home in time for the annual festival at Wat Phou. This archeaological site is about four kilometers from my home. I live in Luang Kao, the ancient city connected to the spirtiual gathering site of Wat Phou. This has been a place of worship since the mid fifth century! The annual festival is called Magha Puja (Makha Busa) and is celebrated on the full moon of the third lunar month to commemorate the preaching of the Buddha to 1250 enlightened monks who came to hear him without prior summons. The third lunar month is February, as the count begins after the rice harvest in November, December full moon being month one. This festival is HUGE and LOTS of Lao people come to this festival.

OPENING PARADE OF DRAMA TROUPE

     

     I attended the opening ceremony on Friday afternoon with a lovely British woman, who is on a year-long, round-the-world adventure. We watched the opening parade of the drama troupe, complete with elephants, and we watched the apsara dance performance. The president of Lao was in attendance, and there was a ceremony with him releasing birds and balloons. This was followed by the world heritage banner parade and the traditional dance praising the party (the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic party). 

APSARA DANCERS PERFORMING

     

     The rest of the afternoon, we wandered the ASEAN flea market, pondering why anyone would come to the festival to buy shampoo, soy milk, or plastic tubs. It looked to be a market for sponsors of the festival introducing their products to the people. But, most of the market stalls featured the same products found in the local daily market. Either way, it was a pleasant day, and we had a bite to eat before the evening performance.

'THE LEGEND OF VAT PHOU' PERFORMANCE

     

     Well advertised, was the countries first ever ‘drama performance with light and sound show,’ and we got to experience the very first performance! ’The Legend of Vat Phou’ was outdoor theatre performed in front of the ancient ruins, and was highly entertaining. The show was spoken in Lao and came with no subtitles, but we did our own narration, and enjoyed the show! The Lao president watched this performance as well, and the show ended with a fireworks display. A wonderful day at Wat Phou, spent with a kindred spirit, a fellow traveler!!!

FIREWORKS AFTER THE OUTDOOR THEATRE - ACTORS IN FRONT OF TEMPLE

    

     I went back to Wat Phou on the last day of the festival, Monday, the full moon. In the evening, four thousand candles are lit to pay homage to Vat Phou, and I wanted to experience this event. I showed up late afternoon and was a bit disappointed in that the booths of products and food were taken down, and the vendors gone. I’ve gone to enough fairs and festivals in my life to understand that at the last day of a six day festival, most of the sales are complete and it is time to move on. But, wow, what a change since Friday, when it was in full swing!

LIGHTING OF 4000 CANDLES

    

      I watched the lighting of the candles, from the entrance, along the walkway, up the hillside, to the temple with Buddha. As the sun went down, the hillside glowed from all the candles, and the full moon beamed down on the temple! A beautiful sight that I will remember forever!!! I am fortunate to have experienced this festival on two different, but joyous days, and recommend this event to everyone!!!

WHAT A SIGHT!!!