Local traditions and culture in Khoueng Khammouan

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This is the most important religious festival in the province and also one of the largest in Laos which draws people and monks from many places to attend. It takes place at Sikhottabong stupa and village grounds next to it. Usually it last three days (in February - but different date according to Buddhist calendar at full moon of the third month in Lao calendar) and it is accompanied by variety of activites such as meditation, praying, fortune telling, buildling sand stupa for departed, games, football matches and large fair. In the evening there is party with music by the fair (not in the temple compounds) which many people like to see for its music and dancing, having fun with family and friends, drinking lao khao and beer.

When I went there during the daytime it wasn't yet crowded - stalls with utensils were rather lonely with noone shopping. Yet I think that's because it was too hot. Outside at the football ground two Lao teams were having match - more or less they seem to hardly wait to the end of game when they can go to rest in shadow and have their cold beer. Most people were hanging in temple compounds - monks were plenty too and they came from many provinces to pay respects at the time of festival.