Wat Phu Sanctuary

The Wat Phu Sanctuary was originally built as a Hindu temple, somewhere about the 10th century. With the demise of the Khmer empire, it came under Lao and Buddhist conrol about the 14th century. It has since been a Theravada Buddhist temple and it's fair to say they have slipped somewhat on maintenance! See also Pip 1. Above the entrances are ornamental lintels, the one in PiP 2 showing the Hindu god Indra riding the three-headed elephant Airavata. Laos was known as the land of the elephants and Airavata became the official symbol of the Lao monarchy.

A note for anyone visiting Wat Phu, just be aware that it's a fair climb from the flat to the top and hot going!