Tham Pha, also known as Buddha Cave, is a cave in Khammouane Province, Laos. The Karst limestone cave was only discovered in April 2004 by a local farmer who upon entering it found a treasure trove of 229 Buddha statues, estimated to be over 450 years old. [1] It is believed that the Buddha statues were hidden to prevent them being looted by invading Haw peoples.[2] The largest Buddha statue is seated at the main entrance. A stupa is located at the nearby Tham That cave.[2]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/34/Buddha_cave%2C_Laos.jpg/300px-Buddha_cave%2C_Laos.jpg)
References
edit- ^ "Tham Pha (Buddha Cave)". Footprint Travel Guides. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- ^ a b Burke, Andrew; Vaisutis, Justine (1 August 2007). Laos. Lonely Planet. p. 181. ISBN 978-1-74104-568-0. Retrieved 20 July 2012.