Na Haeo District and the Everlasting Loei Culture
Na Haeo district of Loei province is renowned for its Flower Festival, a traditional parade practiced at the district for over 400 years. The district also houses an ancient monument, which serves as the center of worship and a unique tourist attraction of the region.
Loei province is rich with tourist attractions open for visiting all-year-round. Most people are aware of the popular attractions such as Chiang Khan, Phu Kradueng, Phu Ruea, and Phu Lom Lo. Na Haeo, however, is a hidden gem within the embrace of the Thai-Lao mountain ranges. The charms of the district are from its people, traditions, culture, and ancient monuments. A growing number of tourists are visiting Na Haeo to experience the district’s unique charms, especially at the following attractions:
The Flower Festival
During the month of April each year, the villages in Saeng Pha subdistrict will be full of noises from cutting and sharpening bamboo – the material for constructing the stem of the flowers to be used at the Flower Parade. The sizes of these flowers vary – some are over 10 meters tall. The Flower Festival, or Flower Parade, is a 400-year tradition which starts on April 13 (Songkran Festival) during the Buddha bathing ceremony (Vesak Ritual). Today, however, the parade and its festivities are conducted consecutively from 14-16 April. Moreover, flower parades will be held every Buddhist holiday throughout the month of April.
Work is delegated between men and women of the villages. The men are responsible for cutting the bamboo and binding them to create the structure of the flowers. The materials used for binding the bamboo are all natural. The women select flowers to make bouquets, which are used for decorating the structure. This delegation was intended to foster love and unity between members of the community.
After decorating the flower structures, the villagers carry the parade flowers to Wat Si Po Chai Temple. The parade flowers are carried around the chapel three times amidst the sounds of drums, cymbals, and other instruments. The excitement is coupled by the swaying of the parade flowers as they are being carried by the villagers, resembling wildflowers being blown by the wind.
Wat Si Po Chai Temple, Baan Saeng Pha
Wat Si Po Chai is a 400-year-old temple which serves as the center of worship and monument of Baan Saeng Pha, Na Kaeo district. It was constructed in the year 1547, with the temple being fully established in the year 1832. The community was established by a group of hunters from Vientiane, led by a man named Chiang Pha. After hunting in the area, he invited the locals to establish a village and named it “Baan Chiang Pha.” After numerous years, the name was mispronounced and became the present-day “Baan Saeng Pha.” Wat Si Po Chai was constructed to serve as the center of worship and unity for the villagers, which later became the heart of the annual Flower Festival held in April.
Indulge in the beauty of the temple’s architecture, which shares a similar style with temples at Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. At the heart of the Ubosot (chapel) lies the ancient Buddha statue of “Luang Po Petch,” which serves as the center of worship for villagers and neighboring communities.
Besides the majestic beauty of the temple, the surrounding environment also provides a peaceful scenery of lush paddy fields.
Wat Po Chai Na Pueng Temple
Wat Po Chai Na Pueng is another temple of Na Haeo, renowned for its artistic beauty. The ancient temple was constructed even before the village’s establishment. The temple was designed as a rectangular building, with walls made of bricks and mortar. Its gable roof is laid with wooden shingles and flashing, supported by pillars made of wood. The interior of the temple is decorated with intricate murals designed by locals.
The mural named “Hoob Taem” shares the stories of Buddha and folklore, painted during the year 1852 during the reign of King Rama IV. The external area of the Ubosot also has intricate murals painted during the year 1916, serving as one of the most valuable monuments and antiquities of Loei province.
The temple also holds the “Prachao Ong Saen” Buddha statue, or known as the “Phon Saen Ha” Buddha image. The body of the statue is made of bronze, while the robes are made copper. During the Songkran Festival, locals carry the ceremony of bathing the Buddha image and replacing the accessories. These traditions reflect the temple’s role as the community’s center of unity and worship throughout the course of history.
Photo: FotoErro / Shutterstock.com
Phra That Din Tan
The temple serves as a sanctuary and relic of the Baan Saeng Pha community. It is made of soil and sand, as believers of many generations gradually piled soil to form the structure over hundreds of years. According to the local folklore, a Buddhist monk invited the villagers in the area to practice Buddhism instead of animism, since the latter religion required locals to slaughter livestock as an annual offering to spirits. The monk preached to the locals, stating that proper worship involves strictly prohibiting the taking of life, the violation of Buddhist precepts, and the practice of spiritual worship and sorcery.
The locals followed the monk’s teachings and gradually formed Phra That Din as a symbol of their faith. Although its appearance may not be as intricate and grand as other temples and pagodas, Phra That Din is a sanctuary revered by the community. The relic reflects the simplicity, beauty, and strength of the villagers and is definitely worth visiting while in Loei province.
Although Na Haeo is a small district at the border, it is rich with culture and charming lifestyle. The locals are dedicated to preserve and share their culture, ensuring that it remains a core aspect of Na Haeo throughout the years to come.
Source:
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