Buddha Pha Bang

Luang Prabang, the UNESCO World Heritage city north of Vientiane was named after this most revered image of Lord Buddha. It is a bronze statue which represents a standing Buddha in the Ham Nhat position, which signifies the calming of all quarrels.

It stands 83 cm high and weighs 43kg. The Pra Bang was donated by the Khmer sovereign to the Lao Prince, Fa Ngum, prior to his departure from Cambodia to re-conquer his kingdom. Fa Ngum then left the Prabang Buddha in Vieng Chan, the ancient name of Vientiane.

It was not until 1489 that King Samsenthai brought the statue to his capital where it was placed in the Vat Nandron. After which, the city was renamed, Muang Luang Prabang. The Prabang Buddha is the centerpiece of the Pi Mai Laos celebration each year. From the Royal Palace Museum, it is paraded through the streets until it reaches Vat Mai where it stays throughout the festival being ceremoniously bathed with water by passersby.