Sand stupas at Wat Visoun for Pi Mia Lao (Lao New Year)

What a wonderful afternoon.

Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year), is probably the most sacred of the buddhist celebrations.  Sometimes it feels like it has been overtaken by the city wide water fight.  For about 5 days it isn't possible to leave home without being drenched by the enthusiastic revellers.  Laos people generally seem to be pretty quiet and reserved, (apart from the dreaded Karaoke) so it is quite fun to see them out there and having such a noisy good time. 

In search of the more gentle buddhist experience of Pi am Lao, I spent an afternoon at Wat Visoun with the people who live in the village (ban) associated with that temple.  People of all ages come together to build sand stupas.  The belief is that every grain of sand you put into the stupa washes away a sin from the previous year. (what a relief that was)!  Being the only falang (foreigner) present, it was very special to be part of this.  

People of all ages are involved.  Parents and grandparents teach their very small children what to do. A true family experience.  Many of these people seem to have known each other for a long time.  I imagine many people would be born, live and die in the same ban.  

The stupas are built of sand.  A hose is used to wet the sand to make it easier to work with. In true Pi Mai style, one grandmother had a great time hosing anyone who came within a few metres of her.  An entrance to the stupa is built, a banana palm planted in the top and sand decorations are made.  The stupa is dusted with flour.  Incense, flowers, drawings on paper of animals and other decorations are added.

Novice Yong, proud of the beautiful creation

At the back of Wat Visoun

The issue of hair:  One thing I only just realised is how much "the same" Lao people are in terms of hair: everyone has black straight hair. And most women have long  hair and choose not to go grey.  By comparison, in Australia , hair is so varied: black, brown, blond, auburn, brunette, straight, wavy, curly, you name it.   Here it is the fashion to dye your hair, pink, green, blue, any un-natural colour,, especially amongst teenagers.   As they have almost a week off school they can enjoy it for that time before having to cut it all off and go back to school.  

I only live around the corner, but was drenched by the time I got to Wat Visoun.

Novices and monks build their own stupa under the Banyan tree.

After the stupa's are completed,  a service with Monks chanting was held.  At intervals a gong was rung and people threw lollies and folded money and everyone scrambles for it.

               

The Wat Visoun float ready for the P Mai procession.  A buddha statue will sit in the gold structure and monks will sit around it.