Almost 70 years ago, a young boy by the name of Okad joined his parents and his community to worship at the home of Vientiane’s city pillar and the That Luang stupa.

Now an elderly man, he smiles broadly as he recounts past festivals.

He has been familiar with festival customs since he was a child, as his family often made colourful conical structures based around banana stems and known as Pasaatpheung (wax castle). These have long been an essential part of the That Luang festival in Laos.

The wax and banana leaf structures are thought to somewhat resemble a castle or stupa, from which the name Pasaatpheung is derived.

Mr Okad says the wax castles are not made just to pay homage at the Vientiane city pillar and the That Luang stupa. They can be made at any time, whether for a festival, a visit to Simeuang Temple or a private ceremony held at home, such as an ordination.

The so-called wax castles have been a part of Lao lifestyle for many years, and bringing one to the stupa on this occasion is believed to bring considerable merit.

Each year Mr Okad goes to Simeuang Temple for the first stage of the That Luang festival wax castle procession.

Before heading there he takes pleasure in shaping and decorating his elaborate wax castle. He will make it from materials as diverse as banana stems, flowers, kip notes, books, pens, pencils, incense, wax, flowers, and toothpaste, before proudly parading the finished article in a joyous procession.

This is one way he can help himself and others learn the benefits of community spirit and merit making, while making an offering to the monks.

A resident of Simeuang village, Aunt Keo, said traditionally people made wax castles from banana stems, but today these structures are so large that people often use wood and foam rubber to build them.

Yet traditionalists still prefer to keep theirs small, taking them along with a silver bowl full of offerings to join the parade.

This custom is well known among Lao people. Aunt Keo said she learnt how to make wax castle by helping her parents to make them to sell to other people.

The business continues to this day, and each year she sells approximately 300 wax castles during the That Luang festival.

Aunt Keo is the recipient of this wonderful heritage. She uses candle wax mixed with honey to produce the yellow discs that cover the castles and resemble flowers.

Mr Okad said if believers want to make their offerings especially colourful, they should pin on kip notes and sweets to achieve the desired effect.

The wax castles are considered to be a worthwhile offering to Buddha.

Legend has it that a monkey once offered honey to Buddha, and was reborn as a human. This is symbolised through the use of honey in the wax.

Vientiane residents bring their wax castles to the That Luang stupa in homage each year because they believe the stupa contains a relic of Buddha’s bones.

However, Simeuang Temple also has an important place in the hearts of Lao Buddhists.

In celebration of major events such as the That Luang festival, locals often hold a ceremony to pay homage to the city pillar located here, which dates from the time of King Khounbulom.

During That Luang festival, thousands of people gathered at Simeuang Temple for a grand procession on the 14th day of the waxing moon.

They carried saplings, eight wax castles, white and yellow robes, rice, salt, incense, candles, sand, banana leaves, four swords, a firearm and other items traditionally presented at the pillar, which is believed to house the female guardian spirit of Vientiane.

Monks also gathered to follow the long-standing Buddhist practice of giving offerings to the pillar, such as sweets, fruits, and the traditional Lao skirt (sinh).

Fireworks were set ablaze and all activities by Lao people aimed to show their respect to the city pillar and pray for their future happiness.

The next day, another wax castle procession was conducted which started from Simeuang Temple to That Luang Stupa with the distance of 3km.

Government officials also joined worshippers from across the country, with everyone dressed in traditional clothes and wearing sashes, as the parade proceeds slowly towards That Luang stupa.

Bands of musicians accompanied the procession. Young people wore their traditional ethnic clothing and dance as the processions moves forward.

Once they reach the stupa, the procession was led by monks from That Luang, who chanted the ancient words of Buddha as they are followed by worshippers.

After placing the wax castles around the stupa, people lighted candles and incense to ask for blessings from Buddha for happiness in their life.

The spectacle is truly an interesting insight into a unique Buddhist event, and the culture of this city and the nation. (By Ounkham Pimmata in Vientiane/ Vientiane Times/ Asia News Network)