Wat Tilok Aram, Buddhist temple in Wiang, Thailand
Wat Tilok Aram is a temple largely submerged in Lake Phayao, with only portions of its stone stupa and brick platform visible above the waterline. The exposed upper sections reveal the layered structure and traditional design of this submerged religious site.
The temple was founded between 1476 and 1486 under King Tilokarat of the Lanna Kingdom and served as an important religious center. Its submersion beneath the lake later preserved the site and created a unique historical relationship with the landscape.
The temple remains connected to local Buddhist life and ritual practice among communities living near the lake. Boat processions around the exposed platform during religious holidays show how people continue to honor this submerged site.
The temple site is best reached by boat from the main pier at Lake Phayao, where tour services are regularly available. The surrounding water is most accessible during the dry season when water levels are lower.
A Buddha statue from the Phayao school of craftsmanship remains submerged beneath the waters, making this one of few preserved sunken temples in the region. Boat guides often point out the exact location where the statue rests on the lake bed.
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