Tham Khao Luang Cave, Mueang Phetchaburi, Phetchaburi, Thailand

Tham Khao Luang Cave is at Mueang Phetchaburi, Phetchaburi, Thailand. Khao Luang is the most important and best visited, because of the large number of Buddha images found inside the cave, including a meters high Buddha image cast by order of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).  King Mongkut (Rama IV) who reigned the Kingdom from 1851 until 1868 used the cave to study Buddhism and to meditate. He had a large number of Buddha images placed in the Khao Luang cave. His successor to the throne, King Chulalongkorn ordered a large 4 meter high Buddha image be made and placed in the cave dedicated to Kings Rama III and Rama IV.

The impressive caves are set in Khao Luang hill, just North of Petchaburi town. They consist of a number of caverns filled with beautifully illuminated golden Buddha images, several chedis and a great number of stalactites hanging from the ceiling.

Petchaburi is not only a province with a lot of history that has  long been reflecting local culture and lifestyle, but also has many places of worship such  as temples, in particular cave temples found on mountains throughout the province. Five  kilometres away from the city centre towards the direction where Khao Wang is situated, a  cave temple was built on a small hill with a height of only 92 metres. It is not that hard to get  to there. The way up to the temple is not quite steep so that you can either walk or drive  uphill.

The cave temple is only about a hundred years old. It was built in the reign of King Chulalongkorn, who wanted to build a temple on Khao Luang Peak in honour of King Mongkut, who once visited the Tham Khao Luang Cave. King Chulalongkorn thought that the cave was fascinating with stalactites and stalagmites all over it. The cave also features a hole through which sunlight comes and gleams on stones, making the cavern colourful and allowing visitors to see all the beauty of the interior of the cave. Also, the hole permits cool air to flow into the cave, making it not humid. King Mongkut, who saw the beauty of the cave, had 10-metre long concrete stairs built from the foot of the mountain into the cave and also got the ancient Buddha images which were hosted in the cave before the Rattanakosin Period renovated. It is assumed that the statues, the six-metre long reclining Buddha and the large Buddha image in subduing Mara position. During his reign, King Chulalongkorn paid a visit to Petchaburi and wanted to construct a proper temple in the Tham Khao Luang cave in honour of his father, King Mongkut. He had new Buddha images made so as to host them in the cavern with the ancient ones. He also had the first five kings of the Chakri Dynasty's coats of arms inscribed at the base of one of the newer Buddha statues.Wat Tham Khao Luang underwent renovations and improvements. Nowadays, tourist guides are provided by the temple and shops are available to visitors. In addition, there are lots of monkeys living in the temple.

The atmosphere inside the cave is serene and quiet, Buddhist people will pay respect to the Buddha images burning candles and incense sticks. There are about 170 Buddha images in Khao Luang cave. One of the most beautiful is a huge reclining Buddha image, symbolizing the passing of the Buddha into final Nirvana.

The rays of the sun shining through holes of the ceiling of the caves illuminates the cave chambers, giving the gold colored Buddha images a mystical appearance. Apart from the Buddha images and chedis, you will find stalactites hanging from the caves ceiling, formed over the centuries by dripping water.

An old local legend tells that the caves were once inhabited by young women only. One of the most important Buddhist temples in the world, Khao Luang Cave is a must visit when on a trip to Thailand. Located in the Khao Luang Mountains, the cave is just 5 kilometres away from Phetchaburi. The serenity and peace that exists inside the cave is sure to levitate your senses. The laid-back atmosphere here will give you the perfect break from the hustle-bustle of city life.

The caves are open daily from 9 am to 4 pm and the admission is free. Taking a private taxi is the best way to get here. It takes less than an hour from Hua Hin and about two hours from Bangkok to reach Khao Luang Cave.