The Pindaya Natural Cave

Myanmar territory is characterized by rugged mountain peaks and ranges. They form a semi-circle around the town of Pindaya and are dotted with pagodas, cetis, caves, and covered stairways that have made it a very popular and well-known destination for visiting pilgrims and tourists.

Inside the Golden Tunnel the cave walls and roofs are covered with effigies of the Lord Buddha. The images are of diverse sizes, but all reflect the workmanship of stone masons and artisans of the 18th Century B.C. Although you will find many variations in posture such as the Buddha standing, sitting, or reclining and raw materials use to create the images, such as wood, stone, cement, and so on, when seen close together one is immediately struck by their basic similarities.

If you squeeze yourself between the narrow spaces separating the altars and pass through, you will find yourself in a cave full of stalactites and stalagmites. You may be even more astonished to hear music emanating from these rock outcroppings. The echoes of the cave reverberating in the caves will resound in your memory for a long time.

The Pindaya Caves that were formed some 200 million years ago according to geologists, has a host of wonders to hold you spellbound. In sections of the cave that are somewhat wider than the rest, you will see stalactites, stalagmites and rock outcroppings that are well within reach of your hand, some being only inches away.

After moving 490 feet into the cave you will reach its far end. Upon retracing your steps you will be enabled to study the Buddha images for a second time.
The attractiveness of the town of Pindaya is enhanced by the beauty of the Golden Cave. When you are touring Myanmar, do make it a point to visit Pindaya and its remarkable caves.