A few meters from the famous Wat Visoun temple and its That Makmo stupa, we
find Wat Aham, one of the most revered shrines in Luang Prabang.
Also known as the "Temple of the Blossoming Heart", the current building dates
from the early 19th century and was built on the site of a much older temple
from the 16th century.
This is a small temple and its prayer hall is decorated with colorful murals.
The main Buddha image is placed on a pedestal and is surrounded by some
smaller Buddha images.
Outside, two small stupas and two huge "Banyan" trees (the sacred Buddhist
"Bhodi") are believed to be the home of "Thevatuluang", the guardian spirit of
Luang Prabang.
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Northeast entrance to Wat Aham.
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Banyan trees harbouring spirits.
Between the street and the temple are two very large and old banyan
trees that harbour the Devata Luang, the guardian spirits of Luang
Prabang town.
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Phou Gneu, Gna Gneu and the small lion.
Wat Aham is considered the cultural centre for the guardians of Luang
Prabang, the Devata Luang spirits: Phou Gneu and Gna Gneu, whose masks
and dances are always present during ceremonies, especially during the
Lao New Year.
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According to the local legend of creation, mythical Pou Gneu and Gna
Gneu made the earth appear by stamping on the immense ocean that
covered the world.
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These mystical persons planted gourd seeds wherefrom man appeared.
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Thanks to the little lion that they had captured in the Himalayas and
tamed, they eliminated a beast that terrorized the region of Luang
Prabang.
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As compensation for all their deeds before their deaths, they
requested that the inhabitants make effigies of themselves and the
small lion.
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Every New Year, as protection against the country’s destruction, they
should dance at both ends of the town.
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Two ancient stupas.
After the two sacred trees, and before the temple, there are two ancient
stupas.
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Wat Aham seen from the east.
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The sim has a triple layered roof with two segments above the primary
roof structure.
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Wat Aham facade.
Two mythical stylized stucco figures guard the temple's stairs, as do
the statues of the temple's guardians, Ravana and Hanuman (central
figures from the Indian epic Ramayana and its Lao equivalent, the Phalak
Phalam) that stand in the southern and northern corners of the temple
front porch.
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Unlike several other pagodas in Luang Prabang, there is no external
decoration on the balcony walls.
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The interior of the sim is bright and colorful. Structural elements of
pillars and beams are painted in reds and gold, while the interior
walls are covered with murals depicting Buddhist theological precepts,
scenes of a variety of torture and suffering experienced by those who
inflicted evil on others, as well as elements reflective of the
historic past of the city.
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See also
Source
Location
Wat Visoun (Temple of King Visoun)
Wat Long Khoun (Temple of the Happy)
Wat Chomphet (Diamond Temple)