79-635: The Lao National Museum is a building located in Vientiane , the capital of Laos. The structure was originally built in 1925 as the French governor 's residence and today presents the history of the nation, highlighting the Lao people's struggle to free the country from foreign occupation. It is located on Samsenthai road, opposite the cultural hall. In 2007, the United States donated a grant to help develop
158-493: A tropical savanna climate ( Köppen Aw ) with distinct wet and dry seasons . Vientiane’s dry season spans from November through March. April marks the onset of the wet season which in Vientiane lasts about seven months. Vientiane tends to be very hot and humid throughout the course of the year, though temperatures in the city tend to be somewhat cooler during the dry season than the wet season. The lowest recorded temperature
237-440: A 'walled city' whereas chan ( ຈັນ , previously ຈັນທນ໌ ) derives from Sanskrit candana ( चन्दन , /t͡ɕand̪ana/ ), 'sandalwood' and can be translated as the 'walled city of sandalwood'. Some Laotians mistakenly believe it refers to the 'walled city of the moon' as chan can also represent 'moon', although this was previously distinguished in writing as " ຈັນທຣ໌ ". Other romanisations include "Viangchan" and "Wiangchan". By
316-667: A Siddha Yoginī. For three Yugas She worshipped Śrī Kṛṣṇa and then She became a Siddha Yoginī. Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of the Gopīs, seeing the body of Manasā lean and thin due to austerities, or seeing her worn out like the Muni Jarat Kāru called her by the name of Jarat Kāru. Hence Her name has come also to be Jarat Kāru. Kṛṣṇa, the Ocean of Mercy, gave her out of kindness, Her desired boon; She worshipped Him and Śrī Kṛṣṇa also worshipped Her. Devī Manasā
395-547: A being is so advanced in realization that they can magically transform their body at will and demonstrate the emptiness of the physical form itself. However, many schools of Buddhism and classical, seminal Chinese exegeses interpret the story to repudiate this viewpoint, stating the story demonstrates that women can attain Buddhahood in their current form. According to tradition, the Prajñapāramita sutras had been given by
474-465: A class of superhumans taking the form of serpents who inhabit a subterranean world. Texts such as Manimekalai represent them as persons in human form. Stories of nāgas ( Khmer : នាគ , néak ) have been part of Khmer society for thousands of years, dating back to the Funan era ( នគរភ្នំ ). According to reports from two Chinese envoys, Kang Tai and Zhu Ying, the state of Funan was established in
553-399: A divine, or semi-divine, race of half-human, half- serpent beings that reside in the netherworld ( Patala ), and can occasionally take human or part-human form, or are so depicted in art. Furthermore, Nagas are also known as dragons and water spirits . A female naga is called a Nagi , or a Nagini . Their descendents are known as Nagavanshi . According to legend, they are the children of
632-427: A frog. Now Vāsuki should be brought. The Devas and Gandharvas failed in that attempt also. Garuḍa who was haughty of his strength and speed, went to the city of the nāgas (serpents) and requested Vāsuki to come to the sea of Milk. Vāsuki replied that if the matter was so urgent he had no objection for being carried to that place. He took the middle part of Vāsuki in his beak and flew up higher and higher and reached beyond
711-542: A halo of cobra hoods behind their head), as a partially human serpent, or as a whole serpent. Their domain is in the enchanted underworld, the underground realm filled with gems, gold and other earthly treasures called Naga-loka or Patala-loka . They are also often associated with bodies of waters — including rivers, lakes, seas, and wells — and are guardians of treasure. Their power and venom make them potentially dangerous to humans. However, in Hindu mythology , they often take
790-744: A mythical bird woman. Energetic visitors can climb to the top of the monument for a panoramic view of the city. Buddha Park was built in 1958 by Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat and contains a collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, scattered amongst gardens and trees. The park is 28 kilometres (17 mi) south of Vientiane at the edge of the Mekong River . Vientiane is home to one of the three bowling alleys in Laos (the other two are in Luang Prabang and Pakse ). Other sites include: The National University of Laos , one of three universities in
869-650: A national symbol of Laos and an icon of Buddhism in Laos . Other significant Buddhist temples can be found there as well, such as Haw Phra Kaew , which formerly housed the Emerald Buddha . "Vientiane" is the French spelling derived from the Lao Viangchan /wíaŋ tɕàn/ . The name was previously written " ວຽງຈັນທນ໌ " (in Thai, เวียงจันทน์) but now usually written " ວຽງຈັນ ". In Lao, viang ( ວຽງ ) refers to
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#1732775867945948-705: A serpent-shaped group of deities that often take form as cobras, are prominent in Hindu iconography , throughout the hindu texts (especially in the first book of the Mahābhārata ) and in local folk traditions of worship. In some regions of the Himalaya, nagas are regarded as the divine rulers of the region - as in Kullu Valley , in Berinag and in the valley of the Pindar River , which is believed to be ruled by
1027-429: A strong connection with nagas. The kingdom was believed to be built with aids of nagas, and thus, nagas were highly revered by the royal family. The kingdom, for a period of time, was renamed Yonok Nāga Rāj (lit. Yonok the nagaraja ) The nagas are also highly revered. The Buddhist temples and palaces are often adorned with various nagas. The term Nāga is also present in various Thai architecture terms including
1106-640: A veiled manner, using the Nāga and the Garuḍa to represent the Lao and the Thai, respectively. The Nāga is incorporated extensively into Lao iconography, and features prominently in Lao culture throughout the length of the country, not only in Vientiane. Phaya Nak or Phaya Nāga ( Thai : พญานาค ; RTGS : phaya nak ; lit. ' lord of Nāga ' , phaya derived from Mon which mean high nobility ) or Nakkharat ( Thai : นาคราช ; lit. ' king of Nāga ' ) in Thai beliefs, nagas are considered
1185-524: Is a common feature in Ganesha iconography, and appears in many forms: around the neck, use as a sacred thread (Sanskrit: yajñyopavīta ) wrapped around the stomach as a belt, held in a hand, coiled at the ankles, or as a throne. Shiva is often shown garlanded with a snake. Maehle (2006: p. 297) states that "Patanjali is thought to be a manifestation of the serpent of eternity". Traditional In South India, termite hills are believed to be
1264-547: Is beneath the lower regions. Daityas and Dānavas are not capable of recounting his good qualities. He is honoured by Devas and celestial sages. He is spoken of as Ananta. He has a thousand hoods and he is clearly bedecked in Svastika ornaments devoid of impurities. He illuminates all quarters by thousand jewels on his hoods. The Kamba Ramayana describes the role of Vasuki in the Samudra Manthana : The devas and
1343-624: Is connected with the University of Oxford . In 2011 the Alliance Clinic opened near the airport, with a connection to Thai hospitals. The Setthathirat International Clinic has foreign doctors. A free, 24/7 ambulance service is provided by Vientiane Rescue , a volunteer-run rescue service established in 2010. Naga (mythology) In various Asian religious traditions, the Nagas ( Sanskrit : नाग , romanized : Nāga ) are
1422-494: Is held in high reverence and fear across Thailand, is believed to be the border between the human world and the netherworld, and is frequently depicted in Thai folklore as the site of many hauntings, but more frequently is considered to be the home of the Nāga. According to Shan folklore of Nánzhào Kingdom (now southern China and Southeast Asia during the 8th and 9th centuries, which was centered on present-day Yúnnán in China),
1501-630: Is known in the Heavens, in the abode of the Nāgas (serpents), in earth, in Brahmāloka, in all the worlds as of very fair colour, beautiful and charming. She is named Jagad Gaurī as she is of a very fair colour in the world. Her other name is Śaivī and she is the disciple of Śiva. She is named Vaiṣṇavī as she is greatly devoted to Viṣṇu. She saved the Nāgas in the Snake Sacrifice performed by Pariksit, she
1580-583: Is named Nageśvarī and Nāga Bhaginī and She is capable to destroy the effects of poison. She is called Viṣahari. She got the Siddha yoga from Mahādeva; hence She is named Siddha Yoginī As in Hinduism, the Buddhist nāga generally has sometimes been portrayed as a human being with a snake or dragon extending over his head. One nāga, in human form, attempted to become a monk, and when telling it that such ordination
1659-558: Is used for annual rainfall prediction. It is still practiced nowadays, most notably during the Royal Ploughing Ceremony . The oracle ranges from 1 nak hai nam (1 Nāga granted water); meaning that abundant rainfall should be observed that year, to maximum 7 nak hai nam (7 nagas granted water); meaning there might not be adequate rainfall that year. In northern Thailand, the Singhanavati Kingdom had
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#17327758679451738-721: The China–Laos railway or Laos–China railway ) is a 414 kilometres (257 mi) 1,435 mm ( 4 ft 8 + 1 ⁄ 2 in ) standard gauge electrified railway in Laos , running between the capital Vientiane and the town of Boten on the border with China . The line was officially opened on 3 December 2021. Vientiane is served by Wattay International Airport with international connections to other Asian destinations such as Singapore , Hong Kong , Malaysia , Thailand , South Korea , Japan and China . Lao Airlines has regular flights to several domestic destinations in
1817-629: The Four Heavenly Kings who guards the western direction. They act as guards upon Mount Sumeru, protecting the dēvas of Trāyastriṃśa from attacks by the asuras . Among the notable nagas of Buddhist tradition is Mucalinda , nagaraja and protector of the Buddha. In the Vinaya Sutra (I, 3), shortly after his enlightenment, the Buddha is meditating in a forest when a great storm arises, but graciously, King Mucalinda gives shelter to
1896-494: The Penataran temple complex contain a Candi Nāga , an unusual nāga-temple with its Hindu-Javanese caryatids holding corpulent nagas aloft. The later depiction since the 15th century, however, was slightly influenced by Chinese dragon imagery—although unlike its Chinese counterparts, Javanese and Balinese nagas do not have legs. Nāga as the lesser deity of earth and water is prevalent in the Hindu period of Indonesia, before
1975-597: The Royal Lao Government and the Pathet Lao , Vientiane became unstable. In August 1960, Kong Le seized the capital and insisted that Souvanna Phouma become prime minister. In mid-December, Phoumi Nosavan then seized the capital, overthrew the Phouma Government, and installed Boun Oum as prime minister. In mid-1975, Pathet Lao troops moved towards the city and Americans began evacuating
2054-492: The nak sadung (นาคสะดุ้ง, the outer roof finial component featuring Nāga-like structure), and the nak than (นาคทันต์, the corbel with Nāga-shape). Moreover, nagas are sometimes linked to medicine. The naga Vasuki is present in the legend of the Samudra Manthana , in which Dhanvantari (god of Ayurveda ) and amrita (the elixir of eternal life) were churned from the Ocean of Milk . The nagas can also be founded substituting
2133-776: The snakes in either Rod of Asclepius or mistakenly Caduceus of several medical institutions' symbols. The former seal of Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University , and the seal of Society of Medical Student Thailand are some notable examples using the Caduceus with nagas' presence instead of snakes. Thai folklore holds the Phaya nagas to be semi-divine, demi-creatures, which possess supernatural powers as has been described in Buddhist and Hindu cosmology . The " Kamchanod Forest " (ป่าคำชะโนด; RTGS : Pa Khamchanot ) Ban Dung district , Udon Thani province , which
2212-579: The "Devadatta" chapter of the Lotus Sutra , the daughter of the dragon king, an eight year old longnü (龍女, nāgakanyā ), after listening to Mañjuśrī preach the Lotus Sutra, transforms into a male Bodhisattva and immediately reaches full enlightenment. Some say this tale appears to reinforce the viewpoint prevalent in Mahayana scriptures that a male body is required for Buddhahood, even if
2291-414: The 1st century CE when an Indian prince named Kaundinya I ( កៅណ្ឌិន្យទី១ ) married a nāga princess named Soma ( សោមា កូនព្រះចន្ទ saôma kon preah chan; "Soma, daughter of the moon god"; Chinese: Liuye ; "Willow Leaf"). The couple is symbolized in the story of Preah Thong and Neang Neak . As the legend goes, Kaundinya received instruction in a dream to take a magic bow from a temple and defeat Soma,
2370-676: The 6th century in the Chao Phraya River Valley, Mon peoples had coalesced to create the Dvaravati kingdoms . In the north, Haripunjaya ( Lamphun ) emerged as a rival power to the Dvaravati . By the 8th century the Mon had pushed north to create city states, in Fa Daet (modern Kalasin , northeastern Thailand), Sri Gotapura (Sikhottabong) near modern Tha Khek , Laos, Muang Sua ( Luang Prabang ), and Chantaburi (Vientiane). In
2449-483: The 8th century CE, Sri Gotapura (Sikhottabong) was the strongest of these early city states, and controlled trade throughout the middle Mekong region. The city states were loosely bound politically, but were culturally similar and introduced Therevada Buddhism from Sri Lankan missionaries throughout the region. The great Laotian epic, the Phra Lak Phra Lam , claims that Prince Thattaradtha founded
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2528-674: The Buddha from the storm by covering the Buddha's head with his seven snake heads. Then the king takes the form of a young Brahmin and renders the Buddha homage. In the Vajrayāna and Mahāsiddha traditions, nagas in their half-human form are depicted holding a nagas-jewel, kumbhas of amrita , or a terma that had been elementally encoded by adepts. In Tibetan Buddhism , nagas are known as klu or klu-mo and they are associated with water and cleanliness, as they live in oceans, rivers, lakes, and springs, and do not want their environments to be disturbed or polluted. The two chief disciples of
2607-545: The Buddha to a great nāga who guarded them in the sea, and were conferred upon Nāgārjuna later. In Tibetan Buddhist literature, nagas are portrayed as guardians or owners of submerged treasure, which can be mere wealth or supernatural, "spiritual" treasures. In Thailand and Java , the nāga is a wealthy underworld deity. For Malay sailors, nagas are a type of dragon with many heads. In Laos they are beaked water serpents. In Tibet , they are said to be found in waterways and underground locations, and are susceptible to
2686-459: The Buddha, Sariputta and Moggallāna are both referred to as Mahānāga or "Great nāga". Some of the most important figures in Buddhist history symbolize nagas in their names such as Dignāga , Nāgāsēna , and, although other etymons are assigned to his name, Nāgārjuna . The Nāga Saṃyutta of the Pali Canon consists of suttas specifically devoted to explaining nature of the nagas. In
2765-600: The Duke; the Duke led an army chased the invaders as far as Vũ Ôn? (unattested), and then returned with captives. This name may have traced it origin to Wèndān , a supposedly kingdom located in the Khorat Plateau , mentioned by a ninth-century Chinese writer described a trade route which started at Hanoi and crossed the western mountains to Wèndān. In 1354, when Fa Ngum founded the kingdom of Lan Xang , Vientiane became an important administrative city, even though it
2844-488: The Lao might well have lost control over their own country. During World War II , Vientiane fell with little resistance and was occupied by Japanese forces, under the command of Sako Masanori . On 9 March 1945, French paratroopers arrived and reoccupied the city on 24 April 1945. The city became the national capital of the newly independent Lao state in 1953. As the Laotian Civil War broke out between
2923-829: The Vietnamese were encouraged to migrate to Laos, which resulted in 53% of the population of Vientiane being Vietnamese in the year 1943. As late as 1945, the French drew up an ambitious plan to move massive Vietnamese population to three key areas (i.e. the Vientiane Plain, the Savannakhet region , and the Bolaven Plateau ), which was only interrupted by the Japanese invasion of Indochina. If this plan had been implemented, according to Martin Stuart-Fox ,
3002-409: The asuras decided to get Amṛta (Ambrosia—the celestial honey of immortalily) by churning the sea of milk. The Devas went to bring Mandara-mountain, to be used as the churning rod. Their attempt was futile. The asuras made a trial with the same result. The Bhūtagaṇas (Guards) of Śiva also made a vain attempt. On the instruction of Viṣṇu, Garuḍa went and brought the mountain as easily as an eagle takes away
3081-483: The building. 17°58′1″N 102°36′26″E / 17.96694°N 102.60722°E / 17.96694; 102.60722 This article related to a museum in Asia is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article about a building or structure in Laos is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Vientiane Vientiane is the capital and largest city of Laos . Comprising
3160-620: The capital. On 23 August 1975, a contingent of 50 Pathet Lao women symbolically liberated the city. On 2 December 1975, the communist party of the Pathet Lao took over Vientiane, defeated the Kingdom of Laos , and renamed the country the Lao People's Democratic Republic, which ended the Laotian Civil War . The next day, an Insurgency in Laos began in the jungle, with the Pathet Lao fighting factions of Hmong and royalists. Vientiane
3239-399: The city when he left the legendary Lao kingdom of Muong Inthapatha Maha Nakhone because he was denied the throne in favor of his younger brother. Thattaradtha founded a city called Maha Thani Si Phan Phao on the western banks of the Mekong River ; this city was said to have later become today's Udon Thani , Thailand . One day, a seven-headed Naga told Thattaradtha to start a new city on
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3318-427: The country (including several flights daily to Luang Prabang , plus a few flights weekly to other local destinations). In Thailand, Udon Thani International Airport , one of Wattay's main connections, is less than 90 km distant. The "Centre Medical de l'Ambassade de France" is available to the foreign community in Laos. The Mahosot Hospital is an important local hospital in treating and researching diseases and
3397-402: The country, is in Vientiane. International schools include: Vientiane is the driving force behind economic change in Laos. In recent years, the city has experienced rapid economic growth from foreign investment. In 2011, the stock exchange opened with two listed company stocks, with the cooperation of South Korea . There are regular bus services connecting Vientiane Bus Station with
3476-560: The creative economy. The Naga is a mythical creature with long-standing beliefs and connections to the Thai people, and its designation as a national symbol is a significant step towards preserving and promoting Thai culture. The National Culture Commission and the Fine Arts Department developed a prototype image of the Naga that accurately represents Thai beliefs and traditions related to the creature. The prototype image features
3555-457: The dwelling place of female Nagammas, whereas Himalayan Nags and Naginis, such as Naiṇī Devī of Pindar Valley , are worshipped as underworld beings protecting water resources and the wellbeing of village and valley. The Mahabharata epic is the first text that introduces nagas; it describes them in detail and narrates their stories. The cosmic snake Shesha , the nagarajas (naga kings) Vasuki , Takshaka , Airavata and Karkotaka , and
3634-623: The earth. nagas symbolize the nether realm of earth or underworld. The Nāga ( Lao : ພະຍານາກ ) is believed to live in the Laotian stretch of the Mekong or its estuaries. Lao mythology maintains that the nagas are the protectors of Vientiane , and by extension, the Lao state. The association with nagas was most clearly articulated during and immediately after the reign of Anouvong . An important poem from this period San Leupphasun ( Lao : ສານລຶພສູນ ) discusses relations between Laos and Thailand in
3713-664: The east bank of the river opposite Maha Thani Si Phan Phao . The prince called this city Chanthabuly Si Sattanakhanahud ; which was said to be the predecessor of modern Vientiane. Contrary to the Phra Lak Phra Lam , most historians believe Vientiane was an early Mon settlement, which later came under the domination of the Khmer Empire . In the 11th and 12th centuries, the time when the Lao and Thai people are believed to have entered Southeast Asia from Southern China ,
3792-468: The few remaining Mon and Khmer in the area moved or assimilated into the Lao civilization, which would soon overtake the area. The earliest reference of the name Vientiane can be seen on a Vietnamese inscription of Duke Đỗ Anh Vũ , dated 1159 during the Khmer-Viet conflict. The inscription says that in 1135, Văn Đan (Vientiane), a vassal of Zhenla ( Khmer Empire ), invaded Nghe An, but was repelled by
3871-438: The five urban districts of Vientiane Prefecture , the city is located on the banks of the Mekong , right at the border with Thailand . Vientiane was the administrative capital during French rule and, due to economic growth in recent times, is now the economic center of Laos. The city had a population of 840,000 as of the 2023 Census . Vientiane is the home of the most significant national monuments such as Pha That Luang ,
3950-452: The forests, rivers, lakes, and lotus ponds, the cooing of the cuckoo and other sweet birds, the pleasing skies, the unguents and the continuous notes and sounds of musical instruments such as the lute, flute and Mṛdaṅga drums, O brahmins—all these and other beautiful things are enjoyed by virtue of their good luck by Dānavas, Daityas and Nāgas residing in Pātāla. The Tāmasī form of Viṣṇu, named Śeṣa
4029-455: The four families of Nagas, each with its unique color, and the largest Naga, Nak Vasuki ( Thai : นาควาสุกรี ), who is related to Buddhism and the Thai monarchy, The Naga is also believed to be a symbol of water and fertility and serves as a guardian of Buddhism. Due to the strong relation with everything water, the Nāga in Thai belief also plays a role in rain control. The concept of Nak hai nam ( Thai : นาคให้น้ำ ; lit. Nāga granting water)
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#17327758679454108-401: The horizon. Still the lower half of Vāsuki was lying on the ground. So he took Vāsuki in his beak as folded in two. Still the result was the same. Garuḍa became aware of the impossibility of carrying Vāsuki and returned, ashamed and disappointed. Viṣṇu rebuked him for his arrogance. After this, Śiva stretched his hand to Pātāla. Vāsuki became a small bangle on that hand. Thus Vāsuki was brought to
4187-518: The introduction of Islam. In Balinese tradition, nagas are often depicted battling garuḍas . Intricately carved nagas are found as stairs railings in bridges or stairs, such as those found in Balinese temples , Ubud monkey forest, and Taman Sari in Yogyakarta. In a wayang theater story, a snake-like god (nāga) named Sanghyang Anantaboga or Antaboga is a guardian deity in the bowels of
4266-539: The mythological traditions of many South Asian and Southeast Asian cultures, and within Hinduism and Buddhism. Communities such as the Nagavanshi , Khmer and Eelamese claim descent from this race. In Sanskrit, a nāgá ( नाग ) is a snake, most often depicted by the Indian cobra ( Naja naja ). A synonym for nāgá is phaṇin ( फणिन् ). There are several words for "snake" in general, and one of
4345-511: The nagas and many still believe the nāga exist today, destined to one day return and restore prosperity to their people. Although wars, nature, and the passage of time destroyed many temples from the Funan era, nāgas can still be seen in ancient temples dating to the Chenla and Angkor eras. For instance, the temple now called "The Coiled Nāgas Temple" ( ប្រាសាទនាគព័ន្ធ , Prasat Neak Poan )
4424-468: The nagas are depicted in their human form, but elsewhere they are depicted in animal shape. Early depictions of circa-9th-century Central Java closely resembled Indic nāga which was based on imagery of cobras . During this period, nāga-serpents were depicted as giant cobras supporting the waterspout of yoni - lingam . The examples of nāga-sculpture can be found in several Javanese candis , including Prambanan , Sambisari , Ijo , and Jawi . In East Java,
4503-420: The nagas that dwell in the river. Common explanations of their sightings have been attributed to oarfish , elongated fish with red crests; however, these are exclusively marine and usually live at great depths. In November 2022, the Thai government declared the Naga as the national symbol of Thailand , with the aim of promoting Thai culture and traditions and increasing the country's cultural capital to drive
4582-733: The ninefold Naiṇī Devī . Both in the Nilamata Purana of Kashmir and in the Swayambhu Purana of Kathmandu , the respective region begins its history as a lake, populated by nagas, which is later drained. Ancient Sanskrit texts such as the Mahabharata, the Ramayana , and the Puranas describe the nagas as a powerful, splendid and proud semi-divine species that can assume their physical form either as human (often with
4661-562: The number of their heads. Odd-headed nāgas embody masculinity, infinity, timelessness, and immortality, since all odd numbers derives from the number one (១). Even-headed nāgas denote femininity, physicality, mortality, temporality, and the Earth . Odd headed nāgas are believed to represent immortality and are carved and used throughout Cambodia. In Indian origin religions, there are four different Nāga races: All of them have great powers and can set off storms, rain, tempest and create lands from
4740-547: The nāga princess and daughter of the nāga king. During the ensuing battle, they fell in love and later married, establishing the royal lineage of the Funan dynasty. Kaundinya subsequently constructed the capital city of Vyadhapura , and the kingdom became known as Kambujadeśa or Cambodia ( កម្ពុជា , Kampuchea ). The love story between Kaundinya and Soma is the foundation for many standard practices in modern-day Khmer culture, including wedding ceremonies and other rituals. The Khmer people regard themselves as descendants of
4819-414: The patrons of water. Nagas are believed to live in either water bodies or in caves. According to a popular legend, the Mekong River in north-eastern Thailand and Laos was said to be created by two Nāga kings slithering through the area, thus creating the Mekong and the nearby Nan River . The Mekong is synonymous with the unexplained fireballs phenomenon which has long been believed to be created by
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#17327758679454898-471: The princess Ulupi , are all depicted in the Mahabharata. The Brahma Purana describes the reign of Adishesha as the king of the serpents in Patala: During the night the light of the moon is not utilised for its coolness but only for illumination. Since that passes away is not taken notice of by the Nāgas who enjoy with gaiety the foodstuffs and the edibles they consume and the great beverages they drink. Nor are Danujas and others aware of it. O brahmins,
4977-402: The rest of the country. In Vientiane, regular bus services around the city are provided by Vientiane Capital State Bus Enterprise. These buses were set up and run with the help of the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Daily non-stop bus services run between Vientiane and Nong Khai, Udon Thani, and Khon Kaen in Thailand. The First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge , built in the 1990s, crosses
5056-608: The river 18 kilometres downstream of the city of Nong Khai in Thailand, and is the major crossing between the two countries. The official name of the bridge was changed in 2007 by the addition of "First", after the Second Friendship Bridge linking Mukdahan in Thailand with Savannakhet in Laos was opened early in 2007. A metre gauge railway link over the first bridge was formally inaugurated on 5 March 2009, previously ending at Thanaleng Railway Station , in Dongphosy village ( Vientiane Prefecture ), 20 km east of Vientiane. As of November 2010, Lao officials plan to convert
5135-437: The role of benevolent protagonists; in the Samudra Manthana , Vasuki , a nagaraja who abides on Shiva 's neck, became the churning rope for churning of the Ocean of Milk . Their eternal archrival is the Garuḍa , the legendary semi-divine bird-like deity. Vishnu is originally portrayed in the form sheltered by Sheshanāga or reclining on Shesha, but the iconography has been extended to other deities as well. The serpent
5214-453: The sage Kashyapa and Kadru . Rituals devoted to these supernatural beings have been taking place throughout South Asia for at least 2,000 years. They are principally depicted in three forms: as entirely human with snakes on the heads and necks, as common serpents, or as half-human, half-snake beings in Hinduism and Buddhism . Nagaraja is the title given to the king of the nagas. Narratives of these beings hold cultural significance in
5293-531: The sea. In Javanese , Sundanese , and Balinese culture , Indonesia , a nāga is depicted as a crowned, giant, magical serpent, sometimes winged. It is similarly derived from the Shiva -Hinduism tradition, merged with Javanese animism . The nāga in Indonesia mainly derived and influenced by Indic tradition, combined with the native animism tradition of sacred serpents. In Sanskrit, the term nāga literally means snake, but in Java it normally refer to serpent deity, associated with water and fertility. In Borobudur ,
5372-400: The shore of the sea of Milk. The Devi Bhagavata Purana describes the legend of Manasa: Manasā is the mind-born daughter of Maharṣi Kaśyapa; hence she is named Manasā; or it may be She who plays with the mind is Manasā. Or it may be She who meditates on God with her mind and gets rapture in Her meditation of God is named Manasā. She finds pleasure in Her Own Self, the great devotee of Viṣṇu,
5451-642: The station into a cargo rail terminal for freight trains , allowing cargo to be transported from Bangkok into Laos more cheaply than via road. The rail link has since been extended 7.5km further into the city, to terminate at Vientiane (Khamsavath) railway station , a bigger and newer station closer to the city, with connections to the Central Bus Terminal and the Laos China Railway Station. The first passenger train arrived from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok on 20 July 2024. The new station has immigration facilities, offices, shops and more platforms. The Boten–Vientiane railway (sometimes referred to as
5530-515: The suffering caused by human carelessness towards the natural environment. The Naga people were believed to be an ancient tribe and origins of Sri Lanka . According to V. Kanakasabhai , the Oliyar, Parathavar , Maravar , and Eyinar, who were widespread across South India and North-East Sri Lanka , are all Naga tribes. There are references to them in several ancient texts such as Mahavamsa , Manimekalai , and also in other Sanskrit and Pali literature . They are generally represented as
5609-452: The very commonly used ones is sarpá ( सर्प ). Sometimes the word nāgá is also used generically to mean "snake". The word is cognate with English 'snake', Germanic: *snēk-a- , Proto-IE : *(s)nēg-o- (with s-mobile ). Alternatively, an Indo-European etymology as a "hairless, naked animal" - cognate to English "naked" - would explain that the Sanskrit word nāga can also mean "cloud", "mountain" or "elephant". Nagas, as
5688-508: Was 2.4 °C or 36.3 °F in January 1924, and the highest was 42.6 °C or 108.7 °F in April 2024. The capital attracts many tourists to its many temples and Buddhist monuments. A popular attraction for foreign visitors is Pha That Luang , an important national cultural monument of Laos and one of its best known stupas . It was originally built in 1566 by King Setthathirath and
5767-490: Was burned to the ground and was looted of nearly all Laotian artifacts, including Buddha statues and people. Vientiane was in great disrepair, depopulated and disappearing into the forest when the French arrived. It eventually passed to French rule in 1893. It became the capital of the French protectorate of Laos in 1899. During the French colonial period, the city was rebuilt and various Buddhist temples such as Pha That Luang , Haw Phra Kaew were repaired. During French rule,
5846-434: Was impossible, the Buddha told it how to ensure that it would be reborn a human, and so able to become a monk. The nagas are believed to both live on Nagaloka , among the other minor deities and in various parts of the human-inhabited earth. Some of them are water-dwellers, living in streams or the ocean; others are earth-dwellers, living in caverns. The nagas are the followers of Virūpākṣa (Pāli: Virūpakkha), one of
5925-482: Was not made the capital. King Setthathirath officially established it as the capital of Lan Xang in 1563, to avoid Burmese invasion. When Lan Xang fell apart in 1707, it became an independent Kingdom of Vientiane . In 1779, it was conquered by the Siamese general Phraya Chakri and made a vassal of Siam . When King Anouvong raised an unsuccessful rebellion, it was obliterated by Siamese armies in 1827. The city
6004-522: Was pregnant at the time, leapt to her death as a sacrifice, just as the pillar was being lowered into the hole. In front of the temple stands a statue of King Sisavang Vong . The memorial monument, Patuxai , built between 1957 and 1968, is perhaps the most prominent landmark in the city. While the Arc de Triomphe in Paris inspired the architecture, the design incorporates typical Lao motifs including Kinnari,
6083-473: Was previously named, "Emperor's Wealth Temple" ( ប្រាសាទរាជ្យស្រី Prasat Reach Srey ). In Khmer culture, nāgas symbolize rain, and represent a bridge between the mortal realm ( ឋានមនុស្ស ) and the realm of devas (Heaven; ឋានទេវតា / ឋានសួគ៌ ). They have the ability to transform into half or fully human and act as protectors against invisible forces, deities, or malicious intentions. Furthermore, Cambodian nāgas possess numerological symbolism based on
6162-436: Was restored in 1953. The golden stupa is 45 metres (148 ft) tall and is believed to contain a relic of the Buddha. Another site that is also popular amongst tourists is Wat Si Muang . The temple was built on the ruins of a Khmer Hindu shrine, the remains of which can be seen behind the ordination hall. It was built in 1563 and is believed to be guarded by the spirit of a local girl, Nang Si. Legend tells that Nang Si, who
6241-606: Was the host of the 2009 Southeast Asian Games . Eighteen competitions were dropped from the previous games held in Thailand, due to Laos' landlocked borders and the lack of adequate facilities in Vientiane. Vientiane is on a bend of the Mekong River, at which point it forms the border with Thailand . The city government administers the five urban districts of the Vientiane Prefecture . Vientiane features
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