The religious ceremony for the gold coating of the That Luang stupa begins today, October 31, according to Vientiane Vice Mayor Mr Sihoun Siththileuxay.     

The seminar for That Luang Festival was attended by Mayor of Vientiane Capital Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Bosengkham Vongdara, and the Head of Information, Culture and Tourism Department of Vientiane Capital, Khampadith Khemmanith.

The aim of the renovation is to conserve national heritage and the That Luang stupa, the national symbol and most significant monument for the people of Laos, he said.

One of the reasons for the renovation of the stupa is to mark the 450th anniversary of the stupa (1566-2016). The celebration will take place from November 12-14 this year according to Mr Sihoun.

The renovation is estimated to cost about 15 billion kip (almost 1.84 million). Currently, over 13 kg of gold and over 996 million kip have been donated for the renovation of the stupa by members of the public and the private sector.

The renovation committee has stated that the donations received are not yet enough to cover the cost of the renovation and that more donations are requested.

The 4th That Luang Renovation Project was launched in 2008 on the occasion of the celebration of the 450th anniversary of Vientiane as Laos’ capital city. However, due to a lack of financial resources, the renovation was been delayed and little progress was made.  These included the rebuilding of the corridors and the pavement of That Luang Square.

Source:
courtesy of KPL NEWS AGENCY

by KPL

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