TRIP DONE IN SEPTEMBER 2002
TRANSPORT
Trip done by private car
VISITED PLACES
WAT ARANYIK
Two Km west of Wat Na Phra That on the route to Khao Ngu is Wat Aranyik with a prang identical to that of Wat Na Phra That but smaller in size. The Prang of 26 m height was built in the Lopburi period. The ones made of sandstone were built in the Lopburi period. The ones made of red stone were built in the period of U Thong and Sukhothai. The reclining Buddha dates from the U-thong period.
THAM RUSI KHAO NGU
The cave is situated 8 Km from Ratchaburi along the road to Amphoe Chom Bung (Route No 3078). The cave houses Buddha image in high-relief carved on the wall cave. It is considered the oldest archaeological evidence of the Dvaravati period (6 to 9 century AD) found in Ratchaburi. The figure is 2.5 metres high in the attitude of giving the first sermon. This particular image is seated in the European fashion, showing (Indian) post-Gupta (7 to 8 century AD) influence and contains an inscription on the base composed of seven words. The inscription (deciphered partially by professor Georges Coedes) reads in Mon script "Bunya Vara Rishi Chu Sri Samadhi Gupta" and commemorates the meritorious deed of the hermit called Chu, who probably carved the Buddha image on the wall of the cave.
THAM KHAO BIN
Tham Kha Bin is the most beautiful cave in Ratchaburi, located 20 Km from the town along the route to Amphoe Chom Bung and another 2 Km along an access road. The cave covers an area of approximately 5 Rai (0.8 hectare), is about 300 m deep and divided into 8 main chambers: Siva Sathan (Siva place), Tong Arkantuka (Buddhist assistants room), Tan Arnodad (Arnodad stream), Sakunashat Kuha (bird's room), Deva Sapha Samosorn (Deva hall), Kinnorntassana (the myth animal kinnorn's cornor), Parusa Himphan (the myth forest) and Audhayan Tauythep (Deities Park). Lights are installed in the cave.
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