Wat Si Muang

History of the Temple - The Legend of Mother Si Muang 

According to local legend, when Vientiane was being built, the king chose here to erect a sacred pillar to assert the country's sovereignty. However, while digging the hole for the pillar, the workers hit an underground water source, causing the water to gush out uncontrollably. To appease the angry spirits and stop the water flow, a young pregnant woman named Si Muang volunteered to sacrifice herself by jumping into the hole to fill it with her body.

A Young Woman Named Si Muang Sacrifice Herself To Protect People

One hundred days later, the hole miraculously filled up, and a sacred pillar emerged from the ground. In honor of the brave young woman's sacrifice, the temple was named Wat Si Muang, and she was revered as a guardian spirit of the city. Today, the temple is also known as the 'mother temple' of Vientiane.

In addition to this legend, Wat Si Muang is also famous for its mystical pair of storks that reside on a rock behind the rear hall. It is not known when the storks first appeared, but they have been there for a long time. Many believe that the swans were sent by Buddha to guard the temple, while others believe that the spirit of Si Muang resides in them. It is said that the swans only appear when the country is peaceful, the people are harmonious, and the land is fertile.

This Is The Most Sacred Temple In Vientiane

The Peaceful Atmosphere Inside The Temple

The Wat Si Muang temple complex covers an area of over 2 hectares and consists of a main hall for Buddha worship and an area for the worship of Mother Si Muang.

There are numerous Buddha statues in this temple, with the most notable being the statue of Buddha placed under the Bodhi tree. In addition, there are six standing statues and one lying statue representing the sacred protection of Mother Si Muang. Despite being located in the bustling capital city, the interior of the temple is peaceful and serene, with only the sincere devotion of the Buddhist followers.

The Intricate Architecture Of Wat Si Muang (Image source: Vietnamnet)

The main temple has two halls. The front hall is quite simple, usually with a monk sitting and tying a string around the wrist to bless visitors. The back hall is the worship hall, which occupies most of the area. What is special is that inside the rear temple, in the middle, is not a Buddha statue but a large stone block. The stone block is not placed on the altar, but is a stone column that goes straight down into the ground. The altar is only built around the stone column. This stone column is two guardian columns that protect the city of Vientiane, which is the mother column and the father column, protecting the Buddhist community.

The temple has intricate and delicate decorations. At the entrance gate of the temple, you can see paintings and reliefs depicting the legend of Mother Si Muang and Buddha. This temple was built on the ruins of an ancient Khmer temple. Behind the main temple, the ruins of this temple still exist with a tower and an entrance that bears the typical Khmer architecture.

The Intricate And Delicate Decorations

Baci - Wrist Thread Tying Ceremony At The Temple

As the most sacred temple in the "Land of a Million Elephants", Wat Si Muang is where Laotians come to seek blessings and enjoy moments of tranquility. One of the most interesting experiences here is the Wrist Thread Tying Ceremony, also known as Baci. This has become a national custom in Laos. The Baci ritual involves tying strings around an individual's wrist to preserve good luck, which Laotians believe will bring good fortune to their families and loved ones.

During the ceremony at Si Muang, a monk will pray for you with a Buddhist scripture and tie a white thread around your wrist, symbolizing purity and peace. After that, people usually keep the thread on their wrist for three days before removing it and hanging it in a prominent place, such as their workplace, to bring good luck and peace.

Baci Has Become A National Custom In Laos

Things To Note When Visiting The Temple

• The most important thing to keep in mind when visiting Wat Si Muang is to dress appropriately in modest and respectful attire. As this is a sacred place of worship, revealing or inappropriate clothing is strictly prohibited. 
• It is also customary to remove your hat or head covering as a sign of respect when entering the temple.
• When visiting Wat Si Muang, you can also participate in the ritual of tying a string around your wrist to bring good luck. However, it's essential to follow the instructions given by the monk and not touch or do anything without permission while inside the temple.

• Remember to be mindful of your actions and maintain a peaceful and respectful demeanor while visiting this holy site. By doing so, you can fully appreciate the spiritual significance and cultural heritage of Wat Si Muang.

The Peaceful Atmosphere Of The Temple

In short, 

Wat Si Muang is a fascinating destination for anyone traveling to Vientiane, Laos. We hope that the information provided in this article has been useful in providing you with a better understanding of this remarkable site. If you are planning a trip to Laos, check out our BestPrice Travel website for more interesting travel tips and guides. If you want to find the best tours to Laos, please do not hesitate to contact us to begin planning your dream vacation to this beautiful country.