Cave of four thousand Buddhas

A two hour ride upstream on the Mekong will bring you at the foot of Pak Ou cave set in limestone cliff, twenty five kilometers away from Luang Prabang. The ride to and fro will cost you around 100,000 kip (roughly $9/INR 900) and may keep you wondering if it is a bit too much you paid. But as soon as you take a seat the long wooden boats, your doubts will be put to rest.

Over the next two hours, the boat driver will navigate the rapids on the giant Mekong, gently moving in the direction of the caves. You will pass by serene views of green countryside, b and petrol bunker on the way and then as the two hours will pass by you will see a white hollow in the face of a giant cliff approach.

You have arrived, your boat driver will say and you already know it was worth the time and the money. The quiet ride on the Mekong had already put you in the ideal state of calm necessary before visit to a religious site that has been used for meditation as well.

As you climb the flight of stairs you pay an entry fees of 20,ooo kip ( roughly $3/INR 180) and make your way to the lower level of caves. Over four thousand Buddhas have been placed in this cave over a period of hundred years. With each Buddha representing the faith of an individual, you feel a sense of spirituality pervading the cave.

After a few moments you make you way up to the upper level caves, where a giant statue of Lao Buddha meets you on the entrance. You go inside and look up your flashlight because the upper cave is absolutely dark.

You imagine the cave lit up with lamps when the faithful arrive for ceremonies. You see remnants of giant Buddha statue inside the cave and a dragon carved on a wall on another side. You discover the cave as your flash light roves over the many Buddha statues.

And ultimately you return back to the boat for another hours serene ride on the Mekong. What a peace filled day it had been you wonder once you settle in the boat again.