| Founded and repaired : | Suryavarman Ⅰ, Suryavarman Ⅱ | |
| Period of built: | 11th & 12th Centuries | |
| Primary deity: | Shiva | |
| Architecture style: | Banteay Srei Style and others | |
Preah Vihear Temple (Prasat Preah Vihear) is a Hindu temple situated atop 525-meter cliff in the Dangrek Mountains in the Preah Vihear Province. In 1962 the International Court of Justice in the Hague ruled that it belonged to Cambodia.
The adjacent land to the north is under Thailand's control. Affording a view for many kilometers across a plain, Prasat Preah Vihear has the most spectacular setting of all the temples built during the six-hundred years-long Khmer Empire. As an edifice-complex of the Khmer empire's spiritual life, it was temples in being constructed along a long north-south axis, rather than having the conventional rectangular shape plan with orientation toward the east.
The temple gives its name to local province Preah Vihear, in which is located. On July 7, 2008, Preah Vihear was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ground Plan of Prasat Preah Vihear
Construction of the first temple on the site began in the early 9th century; After that many building has been added in the following centuries it was dedicated to the Shiva Hindu god in his manifestations as the mountain gods Sikharesvara and Bhadresvara. The remaining part of the earliest structure of the temple, however, date from the Koh Ker period in the early 10th century, when the empire's capital was at the city of that name. Today, elements of the Banteay Srei style of the late 10th century can be seen, but most of the temple was constructed during the reigns of the kings Suryavarman Ⅰ(1002–1050) and Suryavarman Ⅱ(1113–1150). An inscription found at the temple provides a detailed account of Suryavarman II studying sacred rituals, celebrating religious festivals and making gifts, including white parasols, golden bowls and elephants, to his spiritual advisor, the aged Brahman Divakarapandita. The Brahman himself took an interest in the temple, according to the inscription, donating to it a golden statue of a dancing Shiva.
The site
The temple complex runs 800m along a north-south axis, and consists essentially of a causeway and steps rising up the hill towards the sanctuary, which sits on the clifftop at the southern end of the complex (120m above the northern end of the complex, 525m above the Cambodian plain and 625m above sea level).Although this structure is very different from the 
temple mountains found at Angkor, it serves the same purpose as a stylised representation of Mount Meru, the home of the gods.
The approach to the sanctuary is punctuated by five gopuras (these are conventionally numbered from the sanctuary outwards, so gopura five is the first to be reached by visitors). Each of the gopuras before the courtyards is reached by a set of steps, and so marks a change in height which increases their impact. The gopuras also block a visitor's view of the next part of the temple until he passes through the gateway, making it impossible to see the complex as a whole from any one point.
The fifth gopura, in the Koh Ker style, retains traces of the red paint with which it was once decorated, although the tiled roof has now disappeared. The fourth gopura is later, from the Khleang/Baphuon periods, and has on its southern outer pediment, "one of the masterpieces of Preah Vihear": a depiction of the Churning of the Sea of Milk. The third is the largest, and is also flanked by two halls. The sanctuary is reached via two successive courtyards, in the outer of which are two libraries.
Quoted from Wikipedia (Dated July 10, 2008)
Follow the ancient King’s Road for Preah Vihear via Beng Mealea and Koh Ker
1st Day Siem Reap to Koh Ker
The alarm clock woke me up at 6am. The day had broken already. After meeting the Cambodian friend who is going with me, I made sure the route for our destinations.
Preah Vihear monument is more than 200km away from Siem Reap near the Thai border. Our luggage is very small. We have only clothes for 3days and Cameras. First of all we aimed for Beng Mealea temple which is called East Angkor Wat. It was a bit cold in the early morning time. I held the bag in front. The road condition was very good. We saw many palm trees at the road side. And also we saw many buffalos bathing. Suddenly we found well dressed young ladies in colorful costumes at a road side village. We are very lucky this is the wedding ceremony. In Cambodia, immediately after the rainy season, they will start to organize wedding ceremony here and there. The bride and bride-groom in their snow white dresses were smiling at unexpected guest. After a 65km drive, we arrived at Beng Mealea monuments. This temple is very famous among Japanese visitors. Because the image of the monuments is closely resembles an animation movie [Raputa the flying castle]. Beng Mealea was built in 13th century. After the lunch we continued trip to Mt. Koulen and Koh Ker.
Angkor dynasty started at Mountaint Koulen in early 9th century as the kingdom of the Angkor region.
The Khmer empire controlled this region for nearly to 600 years. During late 13th century the Jayavarman VII’s reign, the empire covered whole of the Indochina Peninsula and part of the Malay Peninsula. We stayed at a guest house near by Koh Ker temple.
2nd Day Koh Ker to Preah Vihea
Around 7am, we saw many students going the school. They were wearing white shirts and blue skirts or trousers. At the school in the play ground there are several food stands to provide breakfast for them. The Koh Ker temple is located at the East of Siem Reap120km away. It was from 928AD to 944AD the capital city of the Kingdom. It is famous for the 7 storey Pyramid style monuments of the Hinduish temple. This temple is called Prasat Thoum.
The road for Preah Vihear temple from Koh Ker is under construction by the Chinese government with tied loan. We needed more than 3 hours drive from Koulen village to mountain foot. The final approach to the temple is very narrow and steep road. It’s partially paved however we had to get on a motor bike or a 4 wheels drive car. The big Naga (Snake) sculpture welcomed us. This is the gate for the temple in the sky. The national flags of Cambodia identifies the temple area as its territory. One more sign board explained the history of the place. The statement [I have the pride to be born as Khmer] tells you that the country Cambodia is the successor of the ancient Khmer empire which created the great civilization. Preah Vihear temple was built in 9th century and reconstructed many times. Present structure was completed mid 12th century during the reign of Yasovarman II.
Today there are many Cambodian migrants from other part of the country. They are running small businesses like souvenir sales. From the top of the mountain we could look over the big plain spread out on Cambodian side. We could look over the far West, East and South. We could feel comfortable winds at 600 meters above the sea level. Currently there is only one guest house near the temple. We got a room for the night. Many local people got together to watch a TV program in Thai language. They kindly invited us to sit down.
3rd Day A visit to the Thai side and return to Siem Reap
The sunrises in the East, direction for Champassak where the Khmer people originated.
The present border area of three countries Laos, Thai and Cambodia was the original site of Khmer civilization. In the 13th century there was a direct King’s road from Preah Vihear to Wat Phu temple. The distance is less than 100km. Preah Vihear is the transit point to the northern Thai area. There are many Khmer monuments in Thailand also.
After breakfast we visited the border village in the Thai side. Currently there is no border check point for one day visitors on both sides. We crossed the border without a passport check. In 2007 more than 100,000 travelers visited Preah Vihear temple from the Thai side. We visite a Thai market and a visitors center for a few hours and returned to the temple again. At the main cathedral, an old nun was praying in front of Ganesha (god of wisdom).
I hoped this god give us a good idea for the Khmer Empire Heritage Trail.
Quoted from Kroma Magazine Published by APEX Cambodia Company
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
List of Guest Houses
|
http://www.mot.gov.kh/Hot_News/phv.html
No comments:
Post a Comment