Just a nap in a restful and truly colourful place

The mountain of Phnom Sampov/Sampeau, “Ship Mountain”, outside Battambang is a collection of beautiful temples and monasteries in several variations. Located in several places in the mountains.

Add the many large caves, and Phnom Sampov represents a lot of Cambodian history, culture and nature. From the mythical parts to the more modern demanding.

In the east area of the mountain, a pagoda and stupa complex are surrounding the monastery at Wat Sampeou. From there it is several outlooks with a fantastic view to the surrounding Cambodian countryside.

And as the day even here gets hot, the smart one gets some rest. Surrounded by the paintings of the cultural heritage Cambodia is known for.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2021/04/21/top-gold-2/

#khmer #wat #phnomsampeau #temples #pagoda #wallpainting #global #culturalheritage #2016CE #Phnom #Sampou #ancient #Angkor #architecture #archive #art #Battambang #bluesky #Buddhism #life #countryside #culturalheritage #daytrip #Empire #global #greentourism #Hinduism #history #imperial #Kampuchea #khmer #Nikkor #Nikon #Pagoda #Phnom #Sampov #phnomsampeau #roadtrip #south #east #asia #southeastasia #temple #templesvisit #Cambodia #Wallpainting #wat #worldculturalheritage

Old, steep steps at Preah Vihear

After the long stone layered access road from the mountain temple gate in the north, there is a steep step to enter the first temple building/Gopura.

As interesting as the building itself, is the construction and the decoration on the stairs.

The main steps are large and old stone fitted together like they were during building a thousand years ago. For every 3rd step, there is a sidestep suitable for a person or some decorative item.

This steep entrance step is only for the first temple building. After that, the rest of the 6 main buildings and support libraries are spread out on a relatively level ground. Stretching south to the steep cliff, were you find a fantastic view to the north of Cambodia.

Cambodian World Cultural Heritage
The name "Preah Vihear" comes from the Khmer words "Preah" (sacred) and "Vihear" (abode or shrine). The temple is also sometimes referred to as "Phnom Preah Vihear" (mountain of Preah Vihear).

The large temple complex was built during 250 years, starting over one thousand years ago. Several god kings of the Khmer Empire added to the buildings and site details.
It has been a Cambodian World Cultural Heritage site for nearly twenty years.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2021/04/20/a-drop-of-colour-and-a-drop-of-water-a-good/

#ប្រាសាទព្រះវិហារ #Preah #Vihear #Temple #preahvihear #Cambodia #Kampuchea #templevisit #buddhism #hinduism #angkor #art #architecture #bluesky #isaan #sisaket #water #well #worldculturalheritage #roadtrip #2019CE #colorful #colourful #culturalheritage #cambodia #ប្រាសាទព្រះវិហារ #PreahVihearTemple

An intricate entrance gate at Preah Vihear

In the north of Cambodia, on the mountain range bordering the Kingdom in the north, lays the levelled temple complex of Preah Vihear.

The details in the ornamentation on this temple is stunning. This gate to one of the four gopuras at this temple is an example.

The temple of Preah Vihear is dedicated to the god Shiva. The top lintel is often dedicated to showing symbols and rites connected to Shiva, but in almost equal amount to Vishnu.
It tells about the details in the religious practice over the 250 years the Angkor Empire built this temple complex.

The doors “enfilade”/side areas are rich with scenes from Khmer, Veda and Hindu mythology – like churning of the sea of milk, Khrishna Govardhan.

There are several compositions that is repeating in different variations at Preah Vihear. One example is built around a central motif, almost always a head of kala or lion, which develops into a symmetrical decoration.

Cambodian World Cultural Heritage
The name "Preah Vihear" comes from the Khmer words "Preah" (sacred) and "Vihear" (abode or shrine). The temple is also sometimes referred to as "Phnom Preah Vihear" (mountain of Preah Vihear).

The large temple complex was built over a period of 250 year, starting over one thousand years ago. Several god kings of the Khmer Empire added to the buildings and site details.

Preah Vihear has been a Cambodian World Cultural Heritage site for nearly twenty years.

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1224/

#ប្រាសាទព្រះវិហារ #Preah #Vihear #Temple #preahvihear #Cambodia #Kampuchea #templevisit #buddhism #hinduism #angkor #art #architecture #bluesky #isaan #sisaket #water #well #worldculturalheritage #roadtrip #2019CE #colorful #colourful #culturalheritage #cambodia #ប្រាសាទព្រះវិហារ #PreahVihearTemple

Morning at the West terrace and docks of the East Baray

The East Baray was a water reservoir built early in the Khmer Empire after the relocation of the capital to modern day Angkor Thom.

Today Yasodharatataka, East Baray in Khmer, is a dried-out water basin. It is mostly taken over by the jungle but with some rice paddocks and vegetable and fruit farming.

Slightly smaller than the still existing and large man-made construction West Baray, East Baray was 2 km wide and 7 km long. With a depth of 3 meter, it contained 50 million cubic meters of water.
East Baray is due east of Victory gate and the Elephant terrace in front of the Royal Palace of Angkor Thom. The docks and terrace on the West side is the remains of the important entrance to the west, close to the core area of the Khmer Imperial Capital. Its importance can be traced by the complexity of the docs, and the lion guards and statue remain. It is placed well into the jungle, and not very often visited. Fresh excavations are being done on a hospital temple nearby.

This photo is taken at nearing the end of the peak of green season, when the sun getting stronger and the wet spell are fewer. The green season in visible in how green vegetation and moss are covering and highlighting the remains of buildings, stairs and docks. The area in between is more neutral.

For most visitors, photogs or not, some downpours are good when visiting an area filled with natural and cultural marvels like the Angkor Park:

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/cambodia/temples-of-angkor/attractions/eastern-baray/a/poi-sig/1571818/1002179

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Greenlight the best time to visit Cambodia

Sometimes it is nice enjoying the rain cleaning up the air and colours in Angkor Thom. Sitting in a comfortable shelter with other visitors and staff is a sociable affair, too.

Green season in Cambodia starts in June/July and reaches its peak in September/October. Planning to visit during the summer in Europe, or when the Autumn is at its darkest and coldest in the northern hemisphere, those are the best time to enjoy Cambodia.

And to visit the architecture and art from the ancient Khmer empire.

The afternoon rainfalls are short, and they freshest the air and cools down the temperature. And they make everything grow healthy green. Including shrouding the ancient temples and imperial sites in green, softening the outline and enhancing the contrasts.

Making the photography conditions are excellent, the temperature is awesome, the crowds are small, and the cost of food, drinks and accommodation are as pleasant as ever.

For those who enjoys other senses as much, they can look forward to the fresh scent after a shower has cleaned the air, and the fragrance of green nature in it growing season. And the aroma of delicious food made from fresh vegetables and fruit. The sound of birds and insects wakening after a fresh spell is part of natural wonder. And the sound of different sort of monsoon is something to ponder.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2024/01/01/embracing-the-rain-visiting-angkor-park/

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Green season morning in Angkor Park

Prasat Top Khang Kaeut (Eastern Prasat Top) temple is a small Hindu temple with several images of the Hindu God Vishnu. The temple is mostly unvisited and very peaceful. The vegetation makes for some stunning photo opportunities during the green season.

The vegetation has taken over most of the surroundings. During green season it gets extraordinary for photos, with deep, green moss and fresh green all around the still very visible temple.

Religious tolerance in the Khmer Empire
Top Khang Kaeut was built during the reign of Jayavarman VII, the great Buddhist god king, and was initiated in 1295CE. It was dedicated in honour of Mangalartha, a son of a Hindu Brahmin priest/guru kept in high regard by the great king. That gives a glimpse into the religious tolerance and transformation of the Empire into Buddhism as the main religion.

This is the last significant Hindu Temple built in the Khmer Empire before the major change to Buddhism as state religion.

Pleasant green season
The Green season in Cambodia starts in June/July and reaches its peak in September/October. To visit during this time period are among the best time slots to enjoy modern Cambodia.

The afternoon rainfalls are short, and they freshen up the air and chills the temperature. And they make everything grow healthy green.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2024/05/15/the-secret-temple-in-angkor-thom/

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I saw the Buddha in the stone

The heritage from the old capital city of Chenla is still visible in the Kampong Thom area.

When it comes to the art of stonework is still kept in high regards in the modern day just south of Kampong Thom city.
Driving southeast along National Road 6 towards Kampong Cham, Skoun and Phnom Penh, you will drive along stone masonries and cement sculptures along the road. And you get to see how its done.

Like in this photo.

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Common heritage framed by trees

Framed by trees and jungle, the Sâmbor Prey Kŭh temples of pre-Angkor Chenla kingdom was added to our common World Cultural Heritage list in 2017.

I visited this site and took this photo the year before this admittance, in the end of December 2016.

The bridge city near the river city Kampong Thom
North of the Kampong Thom city area the Sambor Prei Kouk complex marks the old capital Isanapura of the Chenla civilization.

The Funan state was a loosely organized confederation of cities and lesser kingdoms with large population centres and advanced technology. It was established around the start of current Common Era and lasted about 500 years, covering most of today’s Cambodia and Thailand, Southern Viet Nam, and northern part of Malaysia.

Establishing the Chenla kingdom marks the rapid development of architecture, culture and society building into a unified centralised kingdom and culture. This led into the foundations of the Angkor era. The Chenla kings increased their power north into today’s Laos and close to Burma.

The Chenla capital city Isanapura (Khmer: ឦសានបុរៈ – Isan Borak) was the core city of pre-Khmer Empire for 250 years, between 550 and 800 CE. The first writings in the Khmer alphabet are found here, marking a continuous written culture lasting up to modern times.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambor_Prei_Kuk

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Sunset over the great port city

The province capital of Kampong Thom province is a nice stop halfway between Phnom Penh and Siem Reab. Over the years, the city has developed in a rapid tempo, and I find it more and more interesting to visit to check on the progress.
Cradle of the Khmer Empire
The area was an important capital in the pre-Khmer era, when the Funan culture and later the capital of the Chenla Kingdom lay down the basis for the great Angkor Empire.
Today it is a logical place to stay for the surrounding cultural and historic sites, including the UNESCO heritage site Prasat Sambor Prei Kouk. This was the state temples for Chenla Kingdom from 500 to 800 CE.
A hub for communication
The buses running from the capital via National Road 6 to Siem Reap and on to the Thai border often stops here. There are lodgings available from high end to hostels, markets, shops, restaurants and cafés.
Including a couple of really nice breakfast places, traditional or modern.
Notable sites are the city centre roundabout with the Independence monument, and the elephant statues fighting two tigers. On the north side of the river lays a large, see worthy pagoda.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kampong_Thom_city

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A drop of colour and a drop of water

Dimensions, on a Khmer-girl scale.

A good thing with an assistant is to have someone to show the relative size of things.
Like my friend here, showing the size of one of the water basins before entering the first of the main temple constructions of Preah Vihear.
This fantastic mountain top temple complex is just another important part of Khmer cultural heritage to the world, forever for Cambodia to care and protect. It was added to the World Cultural Heritage list in 2008.

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1224/

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