Cham Cave, Khao Ngu

Terrain

General condition

It is a cave in the Snake Mountains. which is a limestone mountain The area known as Khao Lat Kluay is located to the west of Tham Chin and about 500 meters west of Rishi Cave. The mouth of the cave is about 20 meters high. facing southeast

Originally the cave floor was covered with bricks. but is currently being excavated throughout the area The floor was filled with rubble. In addition, cement stairs were made from the foot of the hill to the mouth of the cave. and pour the cement floor in front of the cave

Height above mean sea level

Waterway

Mae Klong River It is about 4 kilometers east of Snake Mountain and 3.3 kilometers northeast of Khlong Nong Yai. It is about 1.1 km east.

Geological conditions

[See Snake Mountain]

Archaeological Era

era/culture

Archaeological age

Types of archaeological sites

archaeological essence

Inside the cave, there are carvings from the Dvaravati period (around the 12th-14th Buddhist century) on every wall. On the north wall is a picture of the Buddha's life when performing the Yomaka Miracle at Savatthi City. and a Buddha image in the posture of preaching dharma amongst the fruitful mango trees. which was popularly done during the Dvaravati period The south and east wall of the cave are stucco images of people riding their necks stacked up. and a serpent image of a Buddha image in the attitude of subduing Naga Prok while the western wall is a reclining Buddha image. Above is a stucco in the shape of a long tree branch. full of leaves The branches are periodically worn with rings. Considering the leaf characteristics, it was found that it was the leaves of the Sal tree. Therefore, it should be a picture of his passing away. This may be said to be the oldest Buddha image in the nirvana posture in Thailand (Department of Fine Arts 1991:101). Some of the stucco inside Cham Cave has been restored in the Ayutthaya period.