The second most revered Buddha image in Luang Prabang after the Prabang, is the sacred Phra Man Buddha which is kept at Vat Xieng Thong. The origins of this image are obscure until its arrival in Luang Prabang in 1968. That year the town had been experiencing severe drought until the Phra Man image was carried into town by a group of hilltribe Lao Theung. The ensuing ceremonies held for this newly arrived Buddha statue resulted in the much needed rainfall.
The Phra Man has since been kept in the small chapel building directly behind Vat Xieng Thong. The chapel is usually locked so getting to see this revered Buddha can be difficult. But once a year after the Pimai celebrations the Phra Man is taken out for three days to allow devotees to make merit by pouring water over the statue.
The Phra Man has since been kept in the small chapel building directly behind Vat Xieng Thong. The chapel is usually locked so getting to see this revered Buddha can be difficult. But once a year after the Pimai celebrations the Phra Man is taken out for three days to allow devotees to make merit by pouring water over the statue.
Each new year the Phra Man Buddha can be seen at Vat Xieng Thong when it is bought out of its chapel
This ceremony starts on the sixth day of the new year, April 22nd, that is the day following the return of the Prabang Buddha to the Ho Prabang. It is considered to be inauspicious to have both of these powerful images on display at the same time. With great care the Phra Man is carried out of the chapel and then carried around Vat Xieng Thong three times. It is then erected in a pavilion in front of Vat Xieng Thong where it will stay for three days to allow local people to make merit by pouring water of this sacred image.