VIENTIANE: More than 500 monks and thousands of devotees gathered at dawn at the sacred Pha That Luang on Wednesday (Nov 5) for the traditional almsgiving ceremony on the last day of the annual That Luang Festival.
The festival draws worshippers, tourists and monks to Vientiane from all corners of the country. The focal moment is the almsgiving (tak bat), when solemnity and quiet devotion set the tone.
Starting at around 7am, saffron-robed monks lined up at the stupa and silently made their way through the grounds to receive offerings of sticky rice, fruit, sweets and other gifts from members of the public. The offering is seen as a way for Buddhists to earn merit in the coming year.
President Thongloun Sisoulith led the ceremony together with senior Party and state leaders, underscoring the importance of preserving the country’s Buddhist traditions and cultural identity.
Many visitors also took the opportunity to pay homage at the golden stupa and pray for peace, good health and prosperity.
The event was organised by the Vientiane Administration and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Officials said the ceremony proceeded smoothly, with thousands of people attending in an atmosphere of devotion and reverence.
The That Luang festival is held annually in November, coinciding with the full moon, and follows the End of Lent and Boat Racing festivals in October. This year’s festivities took place from November 1-5.
In addition to the almsgiving, the festival featured a candlelight procession around the stupa on the evening of the same day, as well as traditional music performances, a market fair and cultural shows in the surrounding grounds.
Following the almsgiving, attendees shared in a communal breakfast, with vendors selling grilled chicken, noodle soup and sweetened rice.
The festival is not only a time of religious reflection but also an opportunity to reaffirm national identity. The golden stupa is regarded as a symbol of unity among the Lao people and the almsgiving ritual is one of the most important acts of faith in the country. - Vientiane Times/ANN
