President U Min Aung Hlaing and wife pay homage at Pha That Luang

President U Min Aung Hlaing and wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, who are on a State Visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic, paid homage at Pha That Luang, the country's most sacred Buddhist monument, in Vientiane on Saturday. The President and his wife received a traditional red-carpet welcome from Lao ethnic cultural groups upon their arrival at the pagoda through the western gate. They offered alms, flowers, water, fruits and oil lamps in reverence to the sacred stupa. Pha That Luang, or the Great Sacred Stupa, is the national symbol of Laos and one of the country's most important Buddhist monuments. Originally built in the 16th century during the reign of King Setthathirath, the gold-covered stupa is regarded as a symbol of Lao Buddhism, national unity and cultural heritage. It is also the site of the annual That Luang Festival, one of the largest religious celebrations in Laos. The President and delegation later visited the Dhamma Hall within the temple compound, where they paid respects to the President of the Central Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organization and the Lao Sangharaja, Maha Ahjan Yai Mahaved Menenai, as well as the 106-year-old senior monk Most Ven. Noi Sangvalo, and offered religious donations.