Our Temple Day in Vientiane came to a close with a visit to Wat Inpeng, also known as the Temple of the Incarnation of Indra. According to legend, the temple was originally created around 300 AD when the deity Indra descended from the heavens to teach people how to craft images of the Buddha. Historically, however, it’s more likely the temple was first built in the 16th century.
Wat Inpeng is hard to miss, sitting right in the heart of Vientiane’s main street. A large golden gate flanked by two guardian statues welcomes you in. There’s also a quieter side entrance that leads in from a nearby street, should you prefer a more understated approach.
When we entered, we found the Sim1 was closed. Still, there was plenty to admire: detailed carvings and vivid imagery decorated the outer walls, offering a glimpse into the artistry and devotion poured into this sacred place.
As we wandered, a couple of workers noticed us peeking around and eagerly opened the door to the Sim and invited us in. It was clear they were proud of their heritage and wanted to share it. We chose not to take any photos inside, out of respect for the space and its atmosphere.
Outside, we discovered two more shrines, each home to a different interpretation of the Buddha, one painted in emerald tones, the other gleaming in gold.
It was late afternoon by the time we stepped back out into the city. After a full day of temples, we were a little templed-out and ready for the next stage of our journey: food. And maybe a couple of drinks to celebrate a day well spent.
- A Buddhist temple’s main hall of worship. ↩︎
