Wat Arun Chotikaram

Open Days: Contact the temple before visiting

Opening Hours: Contact the temple before visiting

 

Wat Arun Chotikaram is located in Ban Rim On, Moo 3, On Tai Subdistrict, San Kamphaeng District, Chiang Mai 50130, Thailand. It is a private Buddhist temple under the Mahanikaya order and a community temple of Ban Rim On. The temple was officially established in 1927 and received its royal Wisungkhamsima in 2004. Its former name was Wat Rim On, a name that reflects its close relationship with Ban Rim On and the local community landscape of On Tai.

 

The importance of Wat Arun Chotikaram lies in its role as an old community temple of Moo 3 in On Tai Subdistrict. Its official establishment in 1927 shows that Ban Rim On had an organized Buddhist community and local lay supporters from the early twentieth century. In Lanna village life, a temple was not only a ceremonial space. It was also a center for merit-making, Dhamma listening, ordination, village gatherings, and the transmission of local customs from one generation to the next.

 

The former name Wat Rim On clearly preserves the temple’s relationship with the village. Ban Rim On is a community in On Tai where homes, local routes, Buddhist practice, and the Mae On river landscape are closely connected. The present name Wat Arun Chotikaram carries an auspicious meaning. “Arun” evokes the light of dawn, while “choti” suggests brightness and radiance. The temple name therefore expresses the idea of spiritual light while still preserving the memory of Rim On.

 

The community context of Ban Rim On is important for understanding the temple. Local community information describes Wat Arun Chotikaram, or Wat Rim On, as a spiritual center for Ban Rim On and Ban Rim On Tai. Villagers take part in Buddhist merit-making, especially during Buddhist Lent, important Buddhist holy days, and annual festivals. The temple is therefore not separate from village life; it remains part of the daily religious and social rhythm of the community.

 

On Tai Subdistrict is an old community area in San Kamphaeng District, known for Lanna village life, agriculture, water sources, crafts, natural scenery, and community-based tourism. The subdistrict contains several temples connected with village identity, including Wat Ban Hong, Wat Pa Ngae, Wat Pa Ha, Wat Mae Pha Haen, Wat Pa Tueng, Wat Chiang Saen, and Wat Arun Chotikaram. Wat Arun Chotikaram is therefore part of the wider Buddhist and cultural route of On Tai.

 

The temple land covers approximately 3 rai, 1 ngan, and 76 square wah, with one additional plot of monastic land of about 2 rai, 1 ngan, and 62 square wah. The temple boundaries are associated with public irrigation canals and public roads. This reflects the relationship between temples, water systems, village movement, and community life in Lanna agricultural society. Canals supported farming, roads connected residents, and temples served as the spiritual center of the settlement.

 

The temple’s history is connected with Phra Athikan Kaeo, who appears in temple records as the founder of the original Wat Rim On. This gives the temple a clearer historical foundation. The presence of a recorded founder, an older temple name, and a continued village role shows that Wat Arun Chotikaram has a rooted place in Ban Rim On community memory.

 

The royal Wisungkhamsima granted in 2004 is an important milestone in the temple’s formal Buddhist status. Wisungkhamsima is the consecrated boundary used for important monastic acts. Receiving this royal grant strengthened the temple’s place in the Sangha system and confirmed its role as a more complete Buddhist institution for the local community.

 

The main structures of Wat Arun Chotikaram include the viharn, monks’ residences, and sala bat. The viharn is the main space for worship, Dhamma listening, merit-making, and community ceremonies. The monks’ residences support monastic life. The sala bat is connected with food offerings, merit-making, and the relationship between monks and lay supporters. Together, these structures show that the temple remains a functioning community temple.

 

The viharn is the most important area for visitors. In a Lanna community temple, the viharn is where residents gather for Buddhist holy days, sermons, Kathin, robe offerings, Buddhist Lent, End of Buddhist Lent, and other annual ceremonies. Its importance lies not only in architecture but also in its continued use as a shared sacred space of Ban Rim On.

 

The monks’ residences allow the temple to remain active throughout the year. Resident monks maintain daily religious routines, care for the temple, support Buddhist ceremonies, and provide a spiritual point of contact for the community. This makes Wat Arun Chotikaram a living temple rather than a site remembered only through old records.

 

The sala bat reflects the everyday merit-making culture of a village temple. It is connected with food offerings and shared Buddhist activities between monks and lay supporters. In local temples, this kind of space reveals the relationship between generosity, community participation, and the maintenance of Buddhism at the village level.

 

An important sacred object recorded in the temple history is a bronze Buddha image. Such a devotional object represents both artistic and religious value. Visitors should approach it with respect, as sacred images in a community temple are often preserved through the faith of local residents and remain central to village ceremonies.

 

Phra Khru Ophat Panyaphimon Panyawachiro is an important monk connected with Wat Arun Chotikaram. Public information also identifies Phra Athikan Sayan Panyawachiro as a key abbot figure associated with the temple and Ban Rim On community. These records show his role in temple administration, religious leadership, and community development.

 

Phra Athikan Sayan Panyawachiro is remembered in local community information for leading religious ceremonies, strengthening community unity, encouraging generosity and mutual support, and supporting environmental conservation. This makes the temple more than a place for formal worship. It is also a place where religious leadership helps shape community ethics and local well-being.

 

Local community information also notes that around 6 PM each evening, evening chanting and prayers are broadcast through the village sound system so that residents in Ban Rim On and Ban Rim On Tai can hear them. This role places the temple within daily life. The sound of chanting becomes part of the village rhythm and reinforces the connection between temple and community.

 

Wat Arun Chotikaram also has educational associations. Local history notes that there was once a school in the temple, with school activity dating from 1939 and a building initiated in 1935 by Khru Ba Kaeo. This reflects a common Lanna pattern in which temples served as early centers of education, learning, and youth development for local communities.

 

Wat Arun Chotikaram remains an active temple. The Chiang Mai Provincial Office of Buddhism conducted a monitoring and evaluation visit for the “Wat Pracha Rat Sang Suk” temple development project at Wat Arun Chotikaram and Wat Pa Ha in On Tai. This shows that the temple continues to be recognized as a functioning Buddhist and community space.

 

Wat Arun Chotikaram is connected with regular Buddhist village activities such as Kathin, robe offerings, Buddhist Lent, End of Buddhist Lent, Magha Puja, Visakha Bucha, Songkran, Loi Krathong, Buddhist holy days, and other annual temple activities. These events bring together elders, families, young people, monks, and lay supporters, keeping the temple active as a center of faith and social connection.

 

The role of Wat Arun Chotikaram can be understood on several levels. Religiously, it is a place for worship, chanting, Dhamma listening, merit-making, and Buddhist ceremonies. Socially, it is a gathering space for Ban Rim On and Ban Rim On Tai. Educationally, it is connected with the earlier tradition of a temple school. Culturally, it preserves Lanna temple life through festivals, chanting, and the village-temple relationship.

 

The atmosphere of Wat Arun Chotikaram is quiet, local, and community-oriented. It is not a large mainstream tourist attraction, and that is part of its value. Visitors can pay respect, make merit, observe the viharn, sala bat, monks’ residences, and temple grounds, and experience a living village temple in On Tai.

 

Key points to notice at Wat Arun Chotikaram include the viharn, bronze Buddha image, sala bat, monks’ residences, village temple atmosphere, and the temple’s former name Wat Rim On. Visitors interested in local history should note its establishment in 1927 and royal Wisungkhamsima in 2004. Visitors interested in community life should pay attention to the temple’s role in chanting, education, and village unity.

 

Wat Arun Chotikaram can be included in a connected route around On Tai. Nearby places include On Tai Community, Wat Ban Hong, Wat Pa Ngae, Wat Pa Ha, Wat Mae Pha Haen, Wat Pa Tueng, Mae Pha Haen Reservoir, Doi Mon Ching, and Champa Hia mineral spring. This route is suitable for a half-day or full-day trip combining Buddhist merit-making, community learning, natural scenery, and local cultural history.

 

Mae Pha Haen Reservoir and Doi Mon Ching add natural context to the route. The reservoir reflects the importance of water and agriculture in On Tai, while Doi Mon Ching is a distinctive mountain landmark. Combining these places with Wat Arun Chotikaram helps visitors understand On Tai through temples, villages, water, mountains, and local life.

 

Wat Pa Tueng, Wat Mae Pha Haen, and Wat Pa Ha add further historical and cultural depth. Wat Pa Tueng is linked with local history and San Kamphaeng ceramics, Wat Mae Pha Haen is an old temple with sacred relics and an annual relic-bathing ceremony, and Wat Pa Ha is connected with Luang Por Phra Chao Than Jai and the On Tai 9-temple route. Together, these places create a meaningful On Tai cultural itinerary.

 

Visitors should observe proper temple etiquette. Dress modestly, speak quietly, respect the viharn, sala bat, monks’ residences, sacred objects, and monks’ areas, avoid disturbing monks or local residents, and park without blocking village access. During Buddhist holy days, Kathin, robe offerings, Songkran, Loi Krathong, or other temple events, visitors should follow the guidance of the temple committee and local residents.

 

Getting There is convenient by private car, rental car, or hired local transport from Chiang Mai city. Take the Chiang Mai–San Kamphaeng route toward San Kamphaeng District, then continue to On Tai Subdistrict and Ban Rim On in Moo 3. The temple can be combined with Wat Ban Hong, Wat Pa Ngae, Wat Pa Ha, Wat Mae Pha Haen, Wat Pa Tueng, Mae Pha Haen Reservoir, Doi Mon Ching, Champa Hia mineral spring, and the San Kamphaeng–Mae On route. Travelers using navigation apps should search for “Wat Arun Chotikaram On Tai San Kamphaeng” or “Wat Rim On” to reach the correct temple in Chiang Mai.

 

Wat Arun Chotikaram is suitable for visitors interested in Mahanikaya community temples, Lanna village life, quiet temple routes, and community-based travel in On Tai. Its value lies in its establishment in 1927, its former name Wat Rim On, its royal Wisungkhamsima in 2004, its viharn, monks’ residences, sala bat, bronze Buddha image, and continuing role as a spiritual center of Ban Rim On. For travelers who want to understand Chiang Mai beyond major landmarks, this temple offers a grounded view of Buddhist faith in a local community setting.

 

 

A: Wat Arun Chotikaram is located in Ban Rim On, Moo 3, On Tai Subdistrict, San Kamphaeng District, Chiang Mai 50130, Thailand.

 

A: Visitors should contact the temple before visiting because there is no clear dedicated opening-time notice available for the temple.

 

A: Wat Arun Chotikaram was officially established as a temple in 1927, was formerly known as Wat Rim On, and received royal Wisungkhamsima in 2004.

 

A: Important structures include the viharn, monks’ residences, sala bat, temple courtyard, and community religious activity areas.

 

A: The temple history records a bronze Buddha image as an important sacred object.

 

A: Phra Khru Ophat Panyaphimon Panyawachiro, also recorded as Phra Athikan Sayan Panyawachiro, is an important monk connected with the temple and Ban Rim On community.

 

A: Yes. It is suitable for visitors interested in quiet community temples, Lanna village life, and cultural routes around On Tai and San Kamphaeng.

 

A: Visitors can combine the trip with On Tai Community, Wat Ban Hong, Wat Pa Ngae, Wat Pa Ha, and Mae Pha Haen Reservoir.