Vat Manorom
ວັດມະໂນຣົມ
Popularly known as Vat Mano, this is believed to be the location of an early Khmer temple. It is one of Luang Prabang's oldest temple sites although it is uncertain whether the temple was founded in the late fourteenth century or during the fifteenth century. Some sources put the founding date as 1428 under King Lan Kham Deng (r.1411 - 1428), the son of King Sam Sen Thai. King Lan Kham Deng's remains are said to be interred here. [Simms 1999]
The Prabang Buddha image was housed here between 1502 and 1513 demonstrating the importance of this temple. In 1818 the sim was rebuilt but was then destroyed by Haw invaders in 1887. The current sim dates from 1972.
The Prabang Buddha image was housed here between 1502 and 1513 demonstrating the importance of this temple. In 1818 the sim was rebuilt but was then destroyed by Haw invaders in 1887. The current sim dates from 1972.
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The main Buddha image weighing over two tons is made of bronze, at some places 15cm thick. It is reputed to date from the 1370's but this early date is improbable and a mid-sixteenth century origin is more likely (See Lao History Revisted, Michel Lorrillard). At about 6 metres in height it is certainly one of the largest statues in Luang Prabang. Until the 1972 reconstruction this statue stood in the open outside of the sim.
It was severely damaged during the Haw invasion of 1887 and later in Franco-Siamese fighting during the 1890's. Famously its arms were broken off, one of which was carried away by the French but lost when their boat sank in the Mekong. In 1972 the arms were restored using concrete. One of the original bronze forearms is on display in front of the statue. In late 2023 a new shrine was erected in front of the sim with a smaller replica of the "Armless Buddha". |
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