Phnom Kulen
Temple of the God-King
Jayavarman II founded the Khmer Empire in 802A.D. by declaring mount Phnom Kulen as its state-temple, and proclaiming that the king himself is god. Thus was born the “Deva-raja (god-king)” cult that came to be one of the distinctive features of kings of the Khmer Empire. The pyramid-shaped mountain-temple was dedicated to the god-king and worshipped along with numerous other deities. An inscription at the summit of Phnom Kulen states that this mountain-temple is the center of the royal city as well as the universe, and the king becomes one with the gods through a sculpture offered to the gods.
The Siva sect of Hinduism believed that the source of the king’s power came from a phallic symbol called linga. Therefore, a linga sculpture was erected at the top of the mountain-temple. The linga itself was considered the guardian god of the empire. Through a ritual preformed by a Brahmin priest. siva, the creator of the universe, descended on the linga representing the king.
Temple of the God-King
Jayavarman II founded the Khmer Empire in 802A.D. by declaring mount Phnom Kulen as its state-temple, and proclaiming that the king himself is god. Thus was born the “Deva-raja (god-king)” cult that came to be one of the distinctive features of kings of the Khmer Empire. The pyramid-shaped mountain-temple was dedicated to the god-king and worshipped along with numerous other deities. An inscription at the summit of Phnom Kulen states that this mountain-temple is the center of the royal city as well as the universe, and the king becomes one with the gods through a sculpture offered to the gods.
The Siva sect of Hinduism believed that the source of the king’s power came from a phallic symbol called linga. Therefore, a linga sculpture was erected at the top of the mountain-temple. The linga itself was considered the guardian god of the empire. Through a ritual preformed by a Brahmin priest. siva, the creator of the universe, descended on the linga representing the king.
