 The monk ties string around the child's wrist to pray for the good health. (Photos: Tran Tuan - Dang Thuy, VOV reporter in Laos) |
No more bustling crowds splashing water, the streets of Vientiane in Bunpimay were quiet and peaceful. Most Venerable Mahaveth Masenay, Vice President of the Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organisation at Sisaket Pagoda, a famous temple in the capital Vientiane, said that this is the third year that the temple has restricted gatherings and rituals such as the Buddha bathing. The ceremony of tying string around a person’s wrist was held on a limited scale.
The Vientaine authorities have banned public and private agencies and individuals from holding peace ceremonies and canceled the Miss Laos New Year pageant and the Spring Festival parade around the city, one of the highlights of the traditional Lao New Year festivities in the capital city.