Wat Tham Chiang Dao (วัดถ้ำเชียงดาว) is a limestone cave temple located in the foothills of the

Doi Luang Chiang Dao Doi Chiang Dao (, ; , ), also known as Doi Luang Chiang Dao (, ; , ), is a high mountain in Chiang Dao District of Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. It is one of the highest peaks of the Daen Lao Range on the Thai side of the border. Doi Chiang ...

, the third-highest mountain in Thailand, north of

Chiang Mai Chiang Mai, sometimes written as Chiengmai or Chiangmai, is the largest city in northern Thailand, the capital of Chiang Mai province and the List of municipalities in Thailand#Largest cities by urban population, second largest city in Thailan ...

. The exact origins of the temple are unknown, but it is believed to have been established during the Lanna Kingdom period. The temple is known for its peaceful atmosphere and scenic surroundings. The temple’s caves are central to its meditation practices, attracting both pilgrims and tourists.

Cave information

Chiang Dao Cave, estimated to be 250–300 million years old, is a limestone cave with five main chambers: the Reclining Buddha Chamber (351.46 meters), the Water Chamber (298.34 meters), the Horse Chamber (86.25 meters), the Hidden Chamber (273.19 meters), and the Crystal Chamber (100.46 meters). The Reclining Buddha Chamber is connected to the Water Chamber, while the Horse Chamber leads into the Hidden Chamber. The cave also includes smaller chambers like the Skylight, the Divine Assembly Hall, and the Stone Rice Field.

History

Many statues within the cave are believed to be of Burmese origin, likely dating back to the period of Burmese occupation in

Lanna Kingdom The Lan Na kingdom or the Kingdom of Lanna (, , "Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields"; , , ), also known as Lannathai, was an Greater India#Indianization, Indianized state centered in present-day Northern Thailand from the 13th to the 18th centuri ...

. The Chiang Dao Cave comprises four caves, with Tham Phranon being the main cave, alongside Tham Maa, Tham Kaew, and Tham Naam. The elevated walkway leading to the cave was constructed in the 1930s. The distinctive Chedi with 25 spires was built in 1913 by followers of the Shan hermit U Kanta. In 1934, followers of Khruba Siwichai built a viharn near the cave's entrance.

Legend

According to legend, Prince Chao Luang Kham Daeng of Phayao disappeared in Tham Luang Chiang Dao while pursuing a girl who transformed into a golden deer and fled into the cavernous depths of the cave. The deer never reappeared, and the prince is said to have died and become a guardian spirit. The local people later built a shrine for him. According to legend, the sage Phra Rama Rishi, renowned for his profound meditation, invoked divine beings to create extraordinary artifacts, such as golden Buddhas and mythical creatures. These treasures were subsequently concealed within the depths of Chiang Dao Cave, guarded by the formidable deity Chao Luang Kham Daeng. However, the allure of these artifacts has proven perilous. Numerous individuals, driven by greed, have ventured into the cave, only to meet tragic fates. As a result, Chiang Dao Cave has become a place of reverence, serving as a poignant reminder of the karmic consequences of avarice.

References

{{Reflist Tham Chiang Dao Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Thailand Thai Theravada Buddhist temples and monasteries Buddhist relics