Belief in the Naga has existed in Thailand for a very long time. Naka Cave is one of the sacred places where many people travel to visit and pay their respects to Pu Ue Lue Nakaraj. According to local belief, Pu Ue Lue was cursed to become a Naga and guard a treasure in the Bueng Khong Long area. Because of this belief, many devotees of the Naga visit Naka Cave to worship Pu Ue Lue and seek his blessings. Many people believe that after paying their respects there, they achieved success in life and in their careers. As a result, Naka Cave has become one of Thailand’s most popular sacred destinations. Today, we would like to share the history and legend of Naka Cave with you.
Naka Cave has become a new landmark for pilgrims and for those who have faith in the Naga. According to the legend, this cave was once the home of “Pu Ue Lue Nakaraj.” The legend tells of an unfulfilled love between a Naga and a human, which eventually led to the fall of a once-prosperous kingdom. This area was once the location of Rattaphanakhon, ruled by King Ue Lue. His queen was Queen Kaew Kanlaya, and they had a daughter named Princess Khiao Kham. Later, Princess Khiao Kham married King Sam Phan Ta, and they had a son named Prince Fa Rung. The prince was known for his intelligence, wisdom, and handsome appearance. It is said that when he was born, the sky became bright and clear. When Prince Fa Rung grew up, he married Princess Nakharinthrani, the daughter of the Naga King of the underwater kingdom, who had transformed herself into a human. Their royal wedding was celebrated on a grand scale in both the human kingdom of Rattaphanakhon and the underwater kingdom. The celebration lasted for seven days and seven nights to strengthen the friendship between King Ue Lue and the Naga King.
Prince Fa Rung and Princess Nakharinthrani lived together as husband and wife for three years, but they still had no children. This was because the nature of the Naga and that of humans were incompatible. As a result, Princess Nakharinthrani fell ill, and her body gradually became weaker until she could no longer maintain her human form and returned to her original form as a Naga. News that Princess Nakharinthrani had reverted to her Naga form spread throughout Rattaphanakhon, causing great dissatisfaction among the people. King Ue Lue was also displeased and ordered Princess Nakharinthrani to return to the underwater kingdom.The Naga King personally came to take Princess Nakharinthrani back and requested the return of the royal regalia. However, King Ue Lue was unable to return them. This greatly angered the Naga King, who declared that he would destroy the entire city of Rattaphanakhon, leaving only three temples standing. After returning, the Naga King led his army to attack and destroy the city of Rattaphanakhon.
When Princess Nakharinthrani learned what had happened, she set out in search of Prince Fa Rung. She searched as far as the Songkhram River, but could not find him, so she returned to the underwater kingdom. The city of Rattaphanakhon was destroyed and became a lost city. It is believed that, over time, its name was gradually mispronounced and eventually became the present-day name Khong Long. The three temples that remained were Wat Don Kaeo (Wat Kaeo Fa), Wat Don Pho (Wat Phothisat), and Wat Don Sawan. The place where Princess Nakharinthrani searched for Prince Fa Rung is now known as Huai Nam Mao. As for King Ue Lue, he did not die. Instead, he was captured by the Naga King and cursed to transform into a Naga, guarding Phu Langka, now known as Bueng Khong Long, for all eternity until a new city is established in this land.
Although the journey to Naka Cave can be quite challenging, it is never greater than the faith of those who wish to experience its sacred atmosphere and natural beauty. If you are planning to visit Naka Cave, we recommend studying the route and preparing your trip carefully in advance. If you enjoy our articles, you can find more interesting stories on the ARM’S ARMOR website. You can also follow the ARM’S ARMOR Facebook page to stay updated with our latest articles. We have many more interesting stories waiting for you.