Khao Khitchakut, Chanthaburi
Paying respects to the Buddha’s footprint on the mountain peak of Khao Khitchakut in Chanthaburi
An act of making a pilgrimage to the Buddha’s footprint equates to appearing before the Lord Buddha and is considered as a great meritorious deed. Consequently, thousands of people have journeyed to the peak of Khao Kitchaket, to pay reverence to the footprint of the Buddha.
Khao Kitchakut national park is fertile and lush. For waterfall lovers, there are three dazzling waterfalls called Klong Chang Se, Kra-ting and Klong Kra-sue. The annual event to pay respects to the footprint of Lord Buddha has been held for a long period. According to strong religious belief, this is the best way to perform good deeds and advance perseverance and overcome difficulties.
From the starting point at Phluang temple, you have to get on a 4-wheel pickup that takes you on an eight-kilometer steep route. Then, you need to walk for another 1.2 kilometers. On the mountaintop, it is possible to spot several geological phenomena related to Buddhist myths, including the stone pagoda, the stone in an upside down monk’s alms-bowl shape, the hermit cave, Indra’s motor racing tracks, as well as gigantic stones that look like a turtle or an elephant. From the breezy peak, you can easily see Chanthaburi center. If you have not been there yet, do not miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Tourists paying respects to the Buddha’s footprint on Khao Khitchakut should try some local food. For example, Cha-muang pork curry, Thai spicy stir fry with cardamom leaves, boiled domestic fowl with cardamom seeds, fish and termite mushrooms in non-coconut milk curry, coconut crabmeat chili dip, spicy papaya salad and Mon-thong durian.
The ceremony to worship the footprint of Buddha is held every year, and it lasts for a couple of months between Chinese New Year and Magha Puja day (late January to March).