Luang Prabang will host its revered That Chomsi Stupa ceremony from 5 to 6 October, drawing locals and visitors alike to Mount Phousi for two days of spiritual reflection and cultural celebration.
The annual event begins on 5 October at 8:30 am with the ceremonial decoration of the That Chomsi Stupa and its surrounding grounds. By afternoon, religious rites commence, with monks leading prayers and rituals that honour the stupa’s sacred legacy. The following day continues with ancestral chants at 10:30 am, followed by a communal offering of lunch to the monks and a concluding sermon at 12:30 pm.
Built in 1804 under King Anourouth, That Chomsi crowns Mount Phousi, a central landmark in Luang Prabang. The stupa is steeped in legend: a monk once descended into a pit beneath the site, believed to reach the earth’s core, where he uncovered a hidden treasure. Betrayed and sealed inside by villagers, he escaped using mystical charms, defeating seven guardians along the way. In response, the king decreed that drums, gongs, and cymbals be sounded every three hours to ward off dragons—a tradition still upheld at nearby Wat Thum Thao.
Today, reaching That Chomsi requires ascending roughly 300 steps, a climb that rewards pilgrims with panoramic views and spiritual encounters. Midway, visitors can pause at Wat Tham Phousi Shrine, home to a smiling Buddha nestled in a cave and a reclining Buddha statue.
The ceremony not only honours Buddhist heritage but also reinforces Luang Prabang’s role as a cultural beacon in Laos. With its blend of ritual, legend, and scenic beauty, the That Chomsi celebration offers a rare glimpse into the city’s soul—where history and devotion meet atop a sacred hill.
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