Description
Wat Tham Wang Khaen (วัดถ้ำวังแคน) is a beautiful mountain temple and Thailand spiritual retreat. It is located between 1-2 kilometers above Tham Thoeng Nak Nimit Priest's Camp. When you look for it on Google Maps, you won't see any roads leading to it, but only a route to Tham Thoeng Nak Nimit. Follow those directions and the temple road signs that begin to appear when you get close.
You will know that you have just about arrived when you see the tall white pagoda with the gold Buddha statues at the top. There is a parking area at the samnak song or "priest's camp" (which also can be translated as monastery). Start walking up the hill and you'll see signs for Wat Tham Wang Khaen. There is a beautiful moss-covered cement path that leads to the temple, which can be translated as The Temple of the Khaen Palace Cave. There also is a wide gravel path that runs up to the temple, which is primarily used by temple workers, but you could take that road with a motorcycle.
As you climb up the forest hill (which is part of the Phu Phan Mountain range), you'll eventually see the gated entrance to Wat Tham Wang Khaen on your right. For those interested in a long hike, you can continue on hiking for another 4 kilometers to get to a reservoir. After you walk through the entrance, you will continue on for a few hundred meters until you get to the temple.
The main sacred statue of Wat Tham Wang Khaen is a striking 7-headed Naga serpent wrapped around the Buddha, who is in the pose of meditation. Currently a Christmas tree is placed next to the statue, which is extremely unusual to see at a Sakon Nakhon temple. The fact that (at the time of this writing) it is September, this could mean that the Christmas tree is a permanent feature and not just a holiday addition.
Opposite the Naga/Buddha statue is a large statue of the Buddha with walking stick. Behind is the cave area, which is filled with sacred figurines, including two delightful representations of the Yaksha guardian, one statue positioned on the right side of the entrance, and a small figurine holding up one of the stones of the cave. There is also a Viharn on the temple grounds, where worshipers gather. Inside the Viharn are more statues of the Buddha and statues honoring two revered monks.
