Pak Ou caves description and photos - Laos: Luang Prabang (Topic)

Pak Ou caves description and photos - Laos: Luang Prabang. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The name in English is Pak Ou caves.

Photo and description

At the confluence of two rivers - Megonga and U, that is, 25 km from Luang Probang, there are unique sacred Paku caves, where thousands of different images of Buddhas are collected. Most of the miniature statues are made of wood, but there are also bronze statues and images made of ceramics. Because of this, the caves are poetically called the Place of many Buddhas. The lower cave is called Tham Ting, and the upper, where a staircase leads, is called Tham Theung.

According to local beliefs, these caves existed here long before Laos became a Buddhist country. Inhabitants of the surrounding villages, the most famous of which is called Ban San Haya, came here to praise the spirit of the Mekong River. With the spread of Buddhism in the country, the caves became a place where peasants and wealthy travelers began to bring figures of Buddhas in various poses. Over time, about 4 thousand statues have gathered here. Some sculptures do not exceed 10 cm, others are 3 meters high. Among them you can find ancient examples of sculptural art. The oldest local statues were made in the 18th century.

Paku caves are usually reached by water. The staircase, along which pilgrims climb to the cave temple, begins at a small pier. The caves once inhabited by hermits are active temples, so you can pray in them. The lower cave is most popular with visitors. There is even a small observation "window" overlooking the Mekong River.

The 54-meter-long upper cave is poorly lit. It is problematic to see something in her,

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Topic: Pak Ou caves description and photos - Laos: Luang Prabang.