That Pathum
That Makmo, Watermelon Stupa, Lotus Stupa, Luang Prabang Unesco World Heritage Town
That Pathum, affectionately nicknamed the Watermelon Stupa.
That Pathum Travel Info
That Pathum is one of the more unusually shaped stupas in Luang Prabang It is located within the compound of Wat Wisunalat. That Pathum means Stupa of the Great Lotus, but among the locals, it is affectionately called That Makmo, meaning Watermelon Stupa, on account of its rotund shape.
Within the compound of That Pathum is another distinctive landmark, the That Pathum. Next door to That Pathum is another significant temple, Wat Aham.
The style of That Pathum is said to reflect Sinhalese influence, albeit in my opinion only to a vague extend. You can compare it perhaps with the Ruwanweliseya Dagoba of Anuradhapura.
I paid a visit to That Pathum when a small group of AsiaExplorers members and I explored the sights in Luang Prabang. We were fortunate to visit it on a clear and cloudless day.
Various accounts stated that That Pathum was built either around 1503-4 or 1514-15. During its construction, small, precious Buddha images were placed inside it. It suffered damage when attacked by the Chinese Haw marauders in 1887, with some of its Buddha images stolen. What remains are now kept in Haw Kham, the Royal Palace Museum.
If you're going to Luang Prabang, you'd be glad to know that the town is quite small. You can go to most places on foot if you want to. Otherwise, you can also catch a tuk tuk to take you around. As for accommodation, they range from very simple, basic beds to boutique hotels. You can visit the Luang Prabang Hotels guide for a list of budget accommodation.
That Pathum as seen in the compound of Wat Wisunalat.
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