Phrathat Si Song Rak

s situated on the bank of the Man River, approximately 1 kilometre from Amphoe Dan Sai or 83 kilometres from the centre of the province. Its architecture is in the Lan Chang style. Phrathat, a stupa containing the Buddha’s relics, is 19.19 metres high, 10.89 metres wide with a square base of 12 redented corners. The stupa is in an “angular lotus” shape similar to Phrathat Phanom, Phrathat Luang (Vientiane), Phrathat Si Khotrabong (Khammoun Province) and many others along the Mekong River. Phrathat Si Song Rak was constructed in 1563 and completed in 1566 as a memorial of the assistance between the Kingdom of Ayutthaya (during the reign of King Chakkraphat) and the Kingdom of Lan Chang (Vientiane) during the reign of King Chaiyachetthathirat. Moreover, within the compound of the temple is enshrined a Buddha image canopied by a seven-headed Naga in the Tibetan style of art. On the full moon day in the 6th lunar month, the Dan Sai people or “Luk Phueng Luk Thian” will organise a ceremony celebrating Phrathat Si Song Rak by bringing Ton Phueng, (a bamboo framework in a castle shape with a width of 60 centimetres and a height of a bit over 60 centimetres, covered with engraved banana stalk and decorated with “Dok Phueng”, flowers made of round and thin pieces of sun-heated wax, as well as, attached with the Globe Amaranth or small pieces of Turmeric to represent the colourful pollen). Moreover, Thian Wian Hua (a stick of candle rolled to be long enough to wrap around one’s head) is also presented to Phrathat. It is considered as a holy tradition taking place every year from the end of April to May.
To get there From the centre of Amphoe Mueang Loei, take Highway No. 203, the Loei - Phu Ruea route and turn into Highway No. 2013 for a further 15 kilometres to Amphoe Dan Sai. Then, turn right into Highway No. 2113 for a further 1 kilometre.