Wat Manorom, Luang Prabang Overview

Wat Manorom is a Buddhist temple and a monastery located in the city of Luang Prabang in Laos. It is one of the oldest temples from the 14th century and is known for a giant 6-meters statue of Buddha in bronze, which was rebuilt. It also has the most significant number of resident monks in the town and houses a primary school. The tourists traveling in Luang Prabang can visit Wat Manorom to witness the golden Buddha and its ancient history and lives of Buddhist monks.

What to wear

It is expected that tourists dress appropriately while visiting a Buddhist temple. Women need to cover their shoulder at all times and wear knee-length attire. Sleeveless shirts and shorts are not also allowed for both men and women. The rules are strictly followed, and you might be denied entry by the guards if you fail to obey them. You also need to take off your shoes, hat and sunglasses before entering the temple premises

Wat Manorom History & Significance

Wat Manorom was established in 1372 by King Samsenethai as a temple to place his ashes after his death. But the construction details are not evident and remains controversial. However, built in the 14th century, it is one of the oldest temples in Luang Prabang.

None of the original parts of the temple remains today as Wat Manorom was attacked and destroyed many times in the past. The temple suffered its most considerable damage in 1887 when the Chinese black army destroyed it completely. That's when the original Buddha statue was stolen as well for the precious stones and diamonds present on it. The statue's limbs were cut off, which was replaced by gold-plated leaves in 1919 when the entire temple underwent renovation.

Wat Manorom Architecture

The current structure of Wat Manorom was built in 1972, which consists of a beautiful sim or ordination hall which is among the tallest in Luang Prabang. Its outer walls are painted in gold with a stretch of yellow on the roof, with the main door being the most decorative. It consists of gold relief. The interiors of the temple contain intricate paintings depicting the life of the Buddha.

The bronze statue of Buddha was built in Thai style, which was the most popular style used in Buddhist temples. Wat Manorom is more than a temple and functions as an important non-profit institution. The primary school provides easy access to education. The monastery in the premises is home to hundreds of young monks who take refuge here for a living as well as learning and practicing Buddhism.

How To Reach Wat Manorom

Wat Manorom is located outside the old walls in the south of Luang Prabang. The best way to reach is by walking, which would take about 20 minutes. You can get there by hiring a Tuk-Tuk. It costs about 3 USD for a round trip. You can also rent a motorbike for about 10 to 12 USD per day, or you can get there by bike which cost about 3 to 4 USD for rent per day.