Preeyanoot Jittawong
Wat Tham Tab Tao has been an ancient place of worship for
over 100 years at Baan Tham Tab Tao village in Chai Prakan district, Chiang
Mai. The name of the temple comes from the Northern Thai language. Although
Wat Tham Tab Tao is smaller than Chiang Dao Cave but it is equal to the
beauty.
The age of Wat Tham Tab Tao is not known. But the nine
meter tall statue of Buddha built in Ayutthaya style is believed to date
back to 1592.
Tham Tab Tao cave is separated in two parts; Tham Jaeng
is the big cave, there are statues of Buddha, the Big Buddha statue, pagoda,
old statue of Buddha, sculptured Buddha, and small sized Buddha statues
placed inside it.
Ancient
Buddha statues.
The smaller caves are called Tham Mae Khrua on the east
and Tham Meud cave on the west, featuring stalagmites inside. 500 meters
before
the entrance to the pagoda, there is a small opening which must be climbed
through by people who want to visit it. It is believed that those who have
enough merit will go through easily.
Today the temple has herbal gardens to give more knowledge about the
herbs to villagers. Tham Tab Tao is one of tourist destinations of Chai Pra
Karn district that should not be missed.
Buddha
statue Ayutthaya art style.
Chinese
Buddha.
Tripitaka
hall.
Koman
Panya; a hermit respected by the villagers.
Tham Mae
Khrua cave.
Hermit
sculpture in Tham Meud.
Chinese
Nirvana lady.
Giant
at the front of Tham Jaeng.
Stairs
to Tham Meud.
