Laos - National Symbol - Pha That Luang - The Golden Stupa in Vientiane
Pha That Luang (Great Stupa in Lao) is a Buddhist stupa in Vientiane, Laos. It was built in the 16th century under King Setthathirat on the ruins of an earlier 13th century Khmer temple, which the Lao believe was in turn built on a 3rd century Indian temple built by Buddhist missionaries from the Mauryan Empire who were sent by the Emperor Ashoka. Relics of The Buddha are said to be contained here. In 1641, a Dutch envoy, Gerrit van Wuysoff, visited Vientiane and was received by King Sourigna Vongsa at the temple, which he was, reportedly, to be received in a magnificent ceremony. He wrote that he was deeply impressed by the 'enormous pyramid and the top was covered with gold leaf weighing about a thousand pounds'.
Pha That Luang was destroyed by the Thai invasion in 1828, which was heavily damaged and left abandon. A French explorer and architect came across the abandoned temple and made detailed sketches of the temple. It was not until 1900, when the French restored to its original design. The architecture of the building includes many references to Lao culture and identity, and so has become a symbol of Lao nationalism. The area around Pha That Luang is now gated, to keep traffic out. Previously visitors could drive around the whole complex.
Pha That Luang is an impressive stupa on the east side of Vientiane. Its gilded structure reflects marvellously in the sunlight. I have purposely visited this amazing place late afternoon to benefit from rich colors created by setting sun. Unfortunately no monk pass by to include local figure in the shot.
Camera Model: PENTAX K20D, Photo Focal length: 10.00 mm, Aperture: 6.7, Exposure time: 1/350 s, ISO: 100
All rights reserved - Copyright © Lucie Debelkova
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Comments and faves
Marco Preti / Tomita, Aleks^, GIAMPIETRO ITALY...., V. Sharma, and 59 other people added this photo to their favorites.
© Lucie Debelkova / www.luciedebelkova.com (36 months ago | reply)
nemenfoto (36 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
Ekvilaps (36 months ago | reply)
Excellent...
anita anand (36 months ago | reply)
Beautifully shot !!!!
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
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GIAMPIETRO ITALY.... (36 months ago | reply)
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eflen001 (36 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
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Dr Panga (36 months ago | reply)
Golden photo
Gareth Weeks | www.garethweeks.com (36 months ago | reply)
Lucie this is really stunning. welldone
alvin lamucho © busy!!! (36 months ago | reply)
gorgeous exposure, lucie.
xavierlelay [deleted] (36 months ago | reply)
Magnique photo , comme d'habitude !
COSKUNTUNA ... 800.000 ... THANK YOU_ (36 months ago | reply)
.
nimboo (36 months ago | reply)
lovely shot! here's mine
cromosamo1957 (36 months ago | reply)
wundervoll,herrlich anzusehn
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R Scott Photography (36 months ago | reply)
You can't go wrong with blue and gold
Manolis Thr (36 months ago | reply)
Wonderful shot!! Beautifully symmetry and composition!!
Philipp | Photography (36 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
GlobeTrotter 2000 (36 months ago | reply)
Fantastic shot! Great blue sky.
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david.bank (www.david-bank.com) (36 months ago | reply)
The golden temple goes togehter well with the blue sky. Amazing composition. Is there a place on earth you have not been to yet?
The Photography Factory (36 months ago | reply)
Lovely Temple!
Barbara Jones / photosecosse.com (36 months ago | reply)
EXTREMELY beautiful, you are an amazing photographer !
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Hamed Mogahwi (36 months ago | reply)
very nice shot
NW-X (36 months ago | reply)
Please consider adding this sacred image to
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₪ alemdag ₪ (36 months ago | reply)
Beautiful ! Great work !
Mike Golding (36 months ago | reply)
Wow spectacular
LuCa TDF (36 months ago | reply)
Bellísima!!
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Herbert Macário (36 months ago | reply)
Magnífico!!
TVGuy (36 months ago | reply)
great stuff...
Koppensteiner Photography (36 months ago | reply)
nice shot !!
LAR's [ Larry ] (36 months ago | reply)
nice angle... love it
Andrei Linde (36 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
Dave Barfoot (deceased) (36 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
!shtiaQ Ahmed (36 months ago | reply)
What a lovely contrast of golden with hues of sky...
SHANstudio.net (36 months ago | reply)
amazing shot!!
jayant_vnit (36 months ago | reply)
ooh..it pays to b at grt places at the right time..grt shot..
~ Floydian ~ (36 months ago | reply)
Dag Lucie,
Strong lines, superb contrast with the golden light and dark blue sky, nothing to pick ont hat part, but only wish the shadow would not be inside..
Regards,
Henk
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IKDLA (36 months ago | reply)
Terrific shot !! Have a great weekend
AnNamir™ (1-Million views, thanks!) (36 months ago | reply)
Beautifully captured my friend =)
anyongfu [deleted] (36 months ago | reply)
great colors
Young's Photos [deleted] (36 months ago | reply)
wonderful capture..
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A.Alwosaibie (36 months ago | reply)
Great shot!!
~MissLilly~ (36 months ago | reply)
wow really awesome golden colours! Love it.
rbcy1974 (36 months ago | reply)
very beautiful!
►Klaus Allmannsberger Photography (36 months ago | reply)
Wonderful composition! Great light and color!
Fantastic work!
Congratulation!
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Paul in Japan (35 months ago | reply)
This photo is a Spirit Of Photography
Spirit Of Photography,Post 1 & Awards 5