วัดคูหาภิมุข

Wat Khuha Phimuk - Wạd Khū H̄ā P̣hi Muk̄h - Wat Na Tham - Wat Khuhapimuk

Useful Information

Location:	136 Moo 1 Ban Na Tham, Khuha Phimuk Temple, Na Tham Subdistrict, Mueang Yala District, Yala Province, 95000. 5 km west of Yala on 409 Yala to Yaha road, turn left to Wat Khuhapimuk and again left after 500 m. (6.528671, 101.224724)
Open:	no restrictions. [2021]
Fee:	free. [2021]
Classification:	Cave Church
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Wat Khuha Phimuk, 136 Moo 1 Ban Na Tham, Khuha Phimuk Temple, Na Tham Subdistrict, Mueang Yala District, Yala Province, 95000, Tel: +66-2-250-5500.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

757	reclining Buddha buit.

Description

วัดคูหาภิมุข (Wat Khuha Phimuk) is a monastery with a cave transformed into a cave temple. The monastery buildings were erected in the plain along the river, the cave is located on the other side of the river up a steep staircase with dragon sculptures as railings. The cave in the cliff face is full of Buddha statues and other religious items. At the foot of the cliff is the spectacular building of the พิพิธภัณฑ์ศรีวิชัย (Srivichai Museum).

There is a huge statue on the right side of the cave portal, which is about 6 m high. This giant was created in 1941 and the villagers call it "Chao Khao". It protects the entrance of the cave that houses the reclining Buddha. A huge chamber inside the cave with a karstfenster allowing sunlight into the cave was transformed into a temple. The reclining Buddha was made in 757, during the Srivijaya Period, and is 24.7 m long. Some think the statue was created to depict the Sleeping Narai and was later modified into the Hinayana reclining Buddha. This and all the other Buddha statues in the cave are painted and wear clothes. There is also a statue of the Goddess of Mercy. The site and the statues are well maintained, there is even a floor with tiles of marble. The deeper parts of the cave, which are not used for the temple, also have trails and electric light, and may be visited on self guided tours.