Pindaya Caves, Shan State

The Pindaya Caves located next to the town of Pindaya, Shan State, Myanmar (Burma) are a Buddhist pilgrimage site and a tourist attraction located on a limestone ridge in the Myelat region.

The area is part of the ancestral homeland of the Danu people.

There are three caves on the ridge which runs north-south, but only the southern cave can be entered and explored. It is not known whether the other two penetrate for any extended distance into the hillside.

Pindaya Caves seen from the northeast.
The building highlighted in the center of the photo is the elevator.

Approaching the Pindar Caves from the south.

Set of statues representing a line of monks carrying their alms bowls.

Sculptures of the spider and the prince aiming with his bow.
There are many legends surrounding the Pindaya cave.

One is the legend of the seven princesses bathing in a lake and how they were captured by a giant spider and trapped in the cave to be rescued by Prince Kummabhaya of Yawnghwe.
Note the statues of the princesses behind the giant spider.

Buddha sculpture protected by Mucalinda.
Mucalinda is the name of a naga, a snake-like being, who protected the Gautama Buddha from the elements after his enlightenment.

It is said that six weeks after Gautama Buddha began meditating under the Bodhi Tree, the heavens darkened for seven days, and a prodigious rain descended.
However, the mighty King of Serpents, Mucalinda, came from beneath the earth and protected with his hood the One who is the source of all protection.
See more at Mucalinda - Wikipedia.

Entrance to the covered staircase that leads to the cave.
Two dragons protect the entrance against evil spirits.

Detail of one of the dragons.

Yan Aung Myin - Htu Par Yone Pagoda.
This pagoda is located east of the caves at the base of the hill.

Hsaungdan (covered stairway) to the caves.

Shwe U Min Natural Cave Pagoda Site Plan.

Poster with the 31 Bhumis - Stage of being.
In Buddhism, Bhumi (Sanskrit: 'foundation', Chinese: 'ground' ) is the 32nd and 33rd place (10th and 11th in simple count) on the outgoing's process of Mahayana awakening.

Each stage represents a level of attainment in that case, and serves as a basis for the next one.
Each level marks a definite advancement in one's training that is accompanied by progressively greater power and wisdom.
See more at Bhūmi (Buddhism) - Wikipedia.

Entrance to the cave.

White Buddha protected by Mucalinda on the right side of the entrance.

Golden stupa at the entrance to the cave.

Golden Buddha at the entrance to the cave.

Well-worn path.
The Pindaya cave extends for about 149 m (490 ft) along a well-worn path.

The Maze.
A part of the cave is known as the Maze. Pindaya cave contains over 8,000 images of Buddha.

Some of the older statues and images in the cave have inscriptions dating to the late 18th century, or early Konbaung period, and the earliest one dates from 1773.
Although most statues are of late 18th and early 19th century, many other statues and images have been placed there on an ongoing basis by different donors throughout the cave's history up until the present time, from lay people to the ruling authorities.
The collection as a whole forms an impressive display of Buddhist iconography and art from early Konbaung era to the modern period.

The Meditation Cave.
Behind the Maze there is a Meditation Cave.

Descending towards the deepest parts of the cave.

The deeper parts of the cave are darker and wetter.

Small Buddha protected by a large Mucalinda.

Pagoda in one of the deepest areas of the cave.

Victory column.
Tagundaing refers to an ornamented victory column or flagstaff, typically 18 to 24 m (60 to 80 feet), found within the grounds of Burmese Buddhist pagodas and monasteries (kyaungs).

These ornamented columns were raised within religious compounds to celebrate the submission of local animistic spirits (nats) to the Dhamma, the Buddhist doctrine and inspired by the Pillars of Ashoka.
A mythical hintha (or more rarely a kinnara) is generally found perching atop the column, while the base of the column may be decorated with Thagyamin.
Vasudhara, the earth goddess, may also be found at the base.
See more at Tagundaing - Wikipedia.

General view of the deepest room in the cave.

Walking the path in the deepest part of the cave.

Buddha protected by Mucalinda with green and yellow bands.

Buddha protected by two snakes.

Peaceful Buddha protected by Mucalinda.

Some Buddhas are protected by umbrellas.
The chatra (from Sanskrit: meaning "umbrella") is an auspicious symbol in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.

In Vajrayana Buddhism, the umbrella or parasol is included in the 'Eight Auspicious Signs' or Ashtamangala.
See more at Chatra (umbrella) - Wikipedia.