Wat Si Muang, Buddhist temple in Vientiane, Laos

Wat Si Muang is a Buddhist temple in Vientiane with two separate chambers: a front room where monks offer blessings and a rear chamber housing the main altar with Buddha statues. The spaces are simply arranged and focused on their spiritual function, with the central Buddha figure at the altar serving as the focal point.

Wat Si Muang was built in 1563, during the Kingdom of Lan Xang. A statue of King Sisavang Vong stands in front of the temple. The sources record no destruction or later reconstruction of the temple.

Wat Si Muang is one of the five "Si" temples of Vientiane, linked in the past to royal ceremonies: consecration water from all five was used for a king's coronation. The city pillar stands here, and the temple is called after Si, a pregnant woman said to have become its guardian spirit, honoured as Ya Mae Si Muang. Each year, before the That Luang festival, a merit-making rite is held here first.

Wat Si Muang stands on Thanon Setthathirath in Vientiane. The temple is divided into two rooms: a front room where a monk is usually present to give blessings, and a rear room with the main altar. Visitors should dress modestly and remove their shoes before entering.

The temple's name comes from Si, a pregnant woman who, by local account, gave her life with her unborn child and a horse to become the guardian spirit of Vientiane's city pillar; residents call her Ya Mae Si Muang. Each year, before the That Luang festival, merit-making rites are held at Wat Si Muang first.