Wat Manorom

Wat Manorom is a major Buddhist temple and monastery in Luang Prabang, Laos.
There are several theories as to the date of its founding; it may have been founded in 1372 or 1375 by Samsenthai, but it may also date from the reign of Laasaenthai Bouvanaat around 1492. The great bronze Buddha, 6 meters high, in the nave dates from the 1370s.

Although the sim is of recent construct and pales in comparison with a number of other historic religious edifices in Luang Prabang, it has a most attractive sim, and it continues to play a significant role in the community of Luang Prabang. One of its most important features is the great Buddha image that forms a focal point in the nave. The statue was cast in bronze in the 1370s during the reign of Sam Saen Thai. Its style was in Sukhothai-Thai rather than Khmer, which had been the dominant Buddhist element prior to this time. And its form became one of the most important bases for the Lao style of sculptural art. The sitting statue, weighing over two tons, is in the Bhumisparsha Mudra of touching the earth or earth witness and victory over Mara. The oldest large Buddhist statue in the city, it is about six meters high; some parts of the bronze are 15 cm. thick. For much of its history it sat outside the sim. It was heavily damaged during the Haw invasion in 1887 and during the Franco-Thai fighting in the late 19th century, when its arms were destroyed (apparently they were carried off by the French, though their boat sank in the Mekong). Part of a forearm, however, was left behind and can be seen at the base of the statue in the sim. When the sim was rebuilt in 1972, the statue was enclosed in the sim and the arms were remade from cement.

The monastic community of the wat has the largest number of monks and novices of any monastery in Luang Prabang and also has a primary school. A new wall encircling the grounds of the wat was completed in 1995.

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.

Wat Manorom, Luang Prabang

• Address: Luang Prabang, Laos
• Location: Manomai Road, Luang Prabang 0600, Laos
• Function: Wat, Temple