Sarika Cave

Sarika Cave (Wat Tham Sarika) is a small stone shelter beneath a large boulder on a forested hillside in Nakhon Nayok’s Sarika subdistrict, reached by around 100 metres of stairs built by the temple. It isn’t a cavern to explore — there are no chambers or passages to walk through — and entry is free.

What makes the site significant is who practised here. Luang Pu Mun Bhuridatto, one of the most revered teachers of the Thai Forest Tradition, meditated at this cave in the early 1910s under the guidance of his own teacher, and returned for several Buddhist Lent retreats in the years after. Accounts from the tradition describe an intense meditation retreat here during which he worked through severe illness through sustained practice. A small Buddha image now sits inside, and a concrete pavilion has been built over the shelter to protect it and give present-day visitors somewhere to sit and pay respects.

Insider Tip: This is one stop on the wider “Following Luang Pu Mun” pilgrimage trail through Nakhon Nayok — worth knowing if you want context for why a small stone shelter draws steady visits from Thai Buddhists rather than being just a roadside curiosity.

Most people combine the visit with Sarika Waterfall, a nine-tier waterfall a short distance down the same road — the pairing makes for a natural half-day loop out of Nakhon Nayok town. If you have more time, Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam is also within reach for the rest of the day.

Watch out: The stair climb is steep in parts and largely unshaded — go in the cooler morning hours rather than midday, and wear shoes with grip rather than sandals.