A brief moment with Buddha

The Buddha who brought rain and thunder to Luang Prabang for the past week was yesterday put back inside his little temple hut at Wat Xiengthong where he will be hidden from public view until this time next year. The only way to see him is by putting forward an official request to the temple's head abbot - outlining what 'wish' you would like granted /what spiritual assistance you need. If your case is worthy, you'll be allowed a private audience. 

It was amazing to watch the local men bathe the statue in water before carrying it through a throng of beautifully dressed women who clanged cymbals and rang bells. As one of the monks beat the temple drum, the golden Buddha was returned to solitude.