Opening the Path to Thailand's Only Underwater Narayan Bertham Sindhu Carving to Boost Conservation Tourism in Ubon
Thailand's military has opened a trail to the country's only underwater stone carving—a 1,000-year-old relief of the Hindu deity Narayan discovered in Ubon Ratchathani—to develop it as a conservation and cultural tourism site that benefits
On May 18, 2025, the 2nd Army Region, led by Lieutenant General Weerayut Raksasarit, commander of the 2nd Army Region, organized a survey team to open a patrol trail and nature study route from the Phra Yai Base of the 23rd Ranger Regiment near Phu Wang Nam Cham Monastery. The team used a traditional path taken by locals from Khae Don Village in Namyuen District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, that was historically used for pilgrimages to the "Narayan Bertham Sindhu Underwater Carving"—Thailand's only underwater stone relief.
The survey team traveled through nature and paid respects at the low-relief carving of "Phra Narayan Bertham Sindhu" on natural sandstone rocks. The carving was discovered by accident in 1979 by a local hunter and fishing guide from Khae Don Village who spotted it while fishing in the stream. Upon examination, the carving depicts Narayan reclined to the right above the three-headed serpent king Ananta Naga, with lotus buds emerging near his abdomen and a female figure at his feet, believed to represent Lakshmi. The carving measures approximately 120 centimeters long and 50 centimeters tall, and is estimated to be over 1,000 years old.
The carving is currently protected by the 9th Regional Office of Fine Arts in collaboration with Phu Chong Nayoi National Park in the Phanom Dong Rak Mountains. The story of "Narayan Bertham Sindhu" appears in the Mahabharata epic, depicting the end of an era when all things are destroyed and submerged beneath the ocean, before Narayan awakens to recreate the world and all things anew, reflecting ancient cosmological beliefs and religious traditions.
Following recent military operations in the area, the 2nd Development Division and the 23rd Ranger Regiment special operations unit have begun developing strategic routes connecting to main roads to facilitate access to the site. Future plans include developing the area as a conservation-based tourism destination and cultural tourism site. The initiative also aims to promote community tourism activities alongside natural resource and archaeological preservation to generate sustainable income for local residents. Annual worship ceremonies for "Narayan Bertham Sindhu" are held during low water season in early March, considered an important tradition for Ubon Ratchathani residents and the faithful nationwide.
