Preah Vihear
Inherited Sacred Power of the Mountain
In 1018A.D, Suryavarman I placed lingas named “Suryavarmesvara” In four large temples to mark the boundaries of his empire. The temples are Preah Vihear, Preah Khan in Kompong Svay, Phnom Chisor, and Wat Basset. Some temples, like many regional temples, were built using the natural features of mountains. Hinduism and Buddhism were practiced however nature spirits were still sacred.
Phnom Kulen, the birthplace of the Khmer Empire, continued to be an important sanctuary to Angkor even 300 years after its establishment. At Kbal Spean, from where water from Phmom Kulen flows to the Siem Reap River, the rocky riverbed is sculptured with a thousand linga and various other religious carvings. Water, as a precious resource throughout the Angkor region, was purified by the sacred powers of the linga at Kbal Spean before being delivered to the people.
Inherited Sacred Power of the Mountain
In 1018A.D, Suryavarman I placed lingas named “Suryavarmesvara” In four large temples to mark the boundaries of his empire. The temples are Preah Vihear, Preah Khan in Kompong Svay, Phnom Chisor, and Wat Basset. Some temples, like many regional temples, were built using the natural features of mountains. Hinduism and Buddhism were practiced however nature spirits were still sacred.
Phnom Kulen, the birthplace of the Khmer Empire, continued to be an important sanctuary to Angkor even 300 years after its establishment. At Kbal Spean, from where water from Phmom Kulen flows to the Siem Reap River, the rocky riverbed is sculptured with a thousand linga and various other religious carvings. Water, as a precious resource throughout the Angkor region, was purified by the sacred powers of the linga at Kbal Spean before being delivered to the people.
