Srah Srang, the dual peaceful sunspot

An October morning bike return to Siem Reap via Srah Srang reservoir. Peaceful and far from crowdy are the qualities of this place in Angkor Park. It carried the promise of a nice, sunny day after the green season.

The Srah Srang reservoir, meaning ស្រះស្រង់, "Royal Bath", is one of those spots deserving a couple of visits. Like in the morning and in the evening. It is a place both to enjoy sunrise and sunset.

Along the reservoir on its north and southwest side there are a lot of cafes, restaurant and street food stalls. Open for both breakfast, lunch and dinner. Or for snacks and coffee breaks.

In the northwest corner, the two main routes of sightseeing of the core Angkor Park meets. This is the Angkor Park small circle of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Keo and Ta Prohm temples. And the Grand Circle of Angkor Thom, Royal Palace/Leper King, Preah Khan, Neak Poan, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup.

Today Srah Srang measures 700 by 350 meter. There is a platform in the centre of the Baray, meaning there might have been a larger temple there originally. Now there is a small tower with a spire showing that location.

This reservoir and its small temple were supervised built by the only known Khmer imperial architect by name, minister and guru Kavindrarimathana to the King Rajendravarman II in approximately 950 CE. He is accepted as the main architect behind East Mebon Temple, Prasat Bat Chum and probably the first architect designing Pre Rup Temple.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2025/06/15/srah-srang-the-dual-peaceful-sun-spot/

#2019CE #ancient #angkor #angkorpark #angkorwat #apsara #architecture #archive #art #Asia #biking #bluesky #buddhism #Cambodia #citylife #countryside #daytrip #Empire #greentourism #hinduism #history #imperial #khmer #leaveonlyfootprints #offthebeatentrack #prasatbatchum #prasatbanteaykdei #Rajendravarman #SiemReab #Siem #Reap #visitsiemreap #srahsrang #temple #visitcambodia #worldculturalheritage

The triple hidden tower temple at the end of red road

Prasat Bat Chum is easily accessible via a red, new dirt road from the south near Prasat Kravan.

Known architect
One unique aspect of this temple is that the architect is known by name. Normally, the god kings are the ones who got their names connected to the temples built during their reign during the 630 years of the Khmer Empire.

Bat Chum was supervised by the architect, minister and guru Kavindrarimathana to the King Rajendravarman II approximately 952CE.

Kavindrarimathana is also accepted as the supervisor behind East Mebon Temple, Srah Srang and maybe the basic designer behind Pre Rup Temple. Meaning that he designed the main reservoirs and elements of most of the Southeast Grand circle Angkor Park.

Mahayana Buddhism
The other unique aspect, Bat Chum was built as Mahayana Buddhist Temple when the Khmer Empire still had Hinduism as the main religion. Another interesting glimpse into religious pluralism early on in this powerful empire.

The three towers are in poor condition when I visited, undergoing a several yearlong restoration project. The three towers are dedicated to Buddha, Vajrapani and Prajnaparamita. Simplified one is for the Buddha, the second for the bodhisattva symbolizing Buddhas power and relentless determination in conquest of negativity, and the third perfection of Wisdom.

This temple is a 12,5 km bike ride from Siem Reap Old Market on mostly flat roads and bike tracks.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat_Chum

#2019CE #ancient #Angkor #angkorpark #apsara #architecture #archive #art #Asia #batchum #biking #bikingintheAngkorWonderland #bluesky #Mahayana #Buddhism #Cambodia #citylife #countryside #Khmer #Empire #greentourism #Hinduism #history #imperial #offthebeatentrack #Pagoda #prasatbatchum #RajendravarmanII #ricefield #roadtrip #Sculpture #SiemReab #SiemReap #visitsiemreap #srahsrang #statetemple #takeonlyphotos #temple #travel #visitcambodia #worldculturalheritage

That morning trip to Prasat Bat Chum among rich rice fields

Bat Chum Temple – ប្រាសាទបាទជុំ – is one of these off the main track sites where the travel is as interesting as the target.
There are several reasons to take a small side trip to the small Prasat Bat Chum. The beautiful entrance track among rice fields and cultural landscape is an obvious one.

It is near Prasat Kravan and close to Srah Srang reservoir. It is easily accessible both as part of and end point of a Small and Grand circuit tour of Angkor Park.

Or by mountain bike.

This morning, I met this fellow sitting near a small river trying fishing. Or simply enjoy a nice morning in the rice fields.
Good ones, either choice.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2024/02/15/prasat-bat-chum-a-unique-temple-off-main-track/

#2019CE #ancient #Angkor #angkorpark #angkorwat #apsara #ApsaraAuthority #architecture #archive #art #Asia #batchum #biking #bikingintheAngkorWonderland #bluesky #Buddhism #Cambodia #capital #citylife #countryside #daytrip #Khmer #Empire #greentourism #Hinduism #history #imperial #leaveonlyfootprints #Mahayana #offthebeatentrack #Pagoda #prasatbatchum #RajendravarmanII #ricefield #roadtrip #Sculpture #SiemReab #SiemReap #visitsiemreap #srahsrang #statetemple #takeonlyphotos #temple #travel #visitcambodia #worldculturalheritage

Somewhere to run to

At least this one is eager to visit the Reclining Buddha and get the monks blessing.

The entrance stairs to one of the most sacred places on Cambodia’s sacred mountain is often filled with people entering and leaving.

In ancient Khmer, the mountains were named after Indra, the king of gods in the Hinduist realm of Kambuja, or Khmer Angkor Empire as we call it today.

The Kulen Mountains is the mythic origin of the Khmer and Angkor Imperial culture and visiting and view all the sights take several days, or several visits.

But the visits are worth it.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2023/01/07/red-and-chek-y/

#siemreab #reclining #Buddha #buddhism #stairs #statue #angkor #khmer #hinduism #cambodia #nationalpark #worldheritage #cultural #architecture #2018CE #khmerboy #worship #classic #architecture #garuda #Phnom #Kulen #recliningBuddha #cultural #craddle #Kambuja #khmerempire

Sunset at Preah Enkosei Temple
ប្រាសាទព្រះឥន្រ្ទកោសីយ៍, Siem Reap.

It is regarded as the ancient Khmer temple closest to modern Siem Reap city centre. Preah Enkosei is between the modern Wat Enkosei and the necropolis of this pagoda and monastery area.

Preah Enkosei was built as a three tower Hindu temple appx 950CE. The entrance Gopura is flanked by small lion guardian statues. The Gopura have an anteroom with a lingam and is placed on the remains of a laterite wall running partly around the perimeter. There are two "library"-building remains flanking the gate on the inside.

The southern tower is marked by a platform only. There are discussions going on if it was ever built, never finished or for other reasons demolished before modern excavations started.

This temple is close to Siem Reap River, and it is an excellent target for an easy afternoon stroll along the river. It should take appx 30-35 minutes’ walk from Siem Reap city centre.

Or 10 minutes by bike.

Visitors do not need Angkor Pass, but this is still a functioning wat and pagoda area. Please act respectful entering this holy place of worship.

#Preah #Enkosai #Temple #PreahEnkosai #2022CE #ancient #angkor #Archeological #Park #angkortemples #Apsara #Authority #architecture #Asia #ប្រាសាទចាន់តាអួន #biking #bikingintheangkorwonderland #bluesky #buddhism #Cambodia #citylife #daytrip #Empire #greentourism #hinduism #history #imperial #J7 #JayavarmanVII #Kampuchea #khmerempire #kingdomofwonder #Temple #roadtrip #lionsculpture #SiemReab #SiemReap #southeastasia #ravel #visitcambodia #visitsiemreap #worldculturalheritage

Food and drinks offering at Chheng Meng, Tomb Sweeping Day

Tomb Sweeping Day, “Chheng Meng” in Khmer, is a festival to honour the ancestors. The festival is of Chinese origin. Qingming is celebrated in Cambodia among the Chinese exodus, and among Khmer with intermarriage or with other strong relations to Chinese culture.
It is a celebration of spring, by honouring and remember the ancestors by cleaning and decorate their graves, pray and bring offerings of food and drink, money and high value items.
After the rites and cleaning of the graves, the Khmer family gathers for food, drinks and celebrating family, friends and neighbours at one of the family members houses. It is always a great honour to be invited to attend.

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501266506/families-gather-at-cemeteries-for-tomb-sweeping-day/

#2019CE #ancestors #AncestorsDay #ancient #angkor #art #bluesky #buddhism #Cambodia #chhengmeng #Chheng #Meng #Chinese #MemorialDay #ChhingMing #QingMing #Festival #ClearBrightnessFestival #countryside #culturalday #daytrip #Empireheritage #history #honour #humanheritage #imperial #khmer #Nikkor #Nikon #Pagoda #roadtrip #roluos #roluosgroup #Siem #Reap #siemreab #sites #temple #sweepingtomb #Tomb #Sweeping #Day #visitcambodia #visitsiemreap #wat #worldculturalheritage #incense #burning #offering #gifts #paper #money #car #motorcycle #villa #house #food #drink #offer #pig #pork #cake #water #juice #beer #fruit

Burning gifts and wish for the ancestor’s support

Tomb Sweeping Day, “Cheng Meng” in Khmer, is a festival to honour the ancestors. The festival is of Chinese origin. Qingming is celebrated in Cambodia among the Chinese exodus, and among Khmer with intermarriage or with other strong relations to Chinese culture.
As it is a celebration of Spring, this festival is in the first week of April after the current Roman Calendar. It is not an official holiday in Cambodia, and it is often celebrated in Khmer families on one of the weekend days closest to 1st of April.
An important part is for the families to bring forth offerings, food, drink, incense, gifts and prayers for luck and support.
The burning of incense and paper gifts are burned during this festival too. The idea is that this sends gifts to relatives who have died. Burning paper items such as villas, money, household items, motorbikes and cars is the transmission of the items and materials to one's ancestors.
This will give the ancestors a better and more comfortable afterlife. In return the ancestors will give blessings and luck to the family.

https://cambodianess.com/article/reduce-paper-burning-at-chinese-new-year-experts

#2019CE #ancestors #AncestorsDay #ancient #angkor #art #bluesky #buddhism #Cambodia #chhengmeng #Chheng #Meng #Chinese #MemorialDay #ChhingMing #QingMing #Festival #ClearBrightnessFestival #countryside #culturalday #daytrip #Empireheritage #history #honour #humanheritage #imperial #khmer #Nikkor #Nikon #Pagoda #roadtrip #rolous #rolousgroup #Siem #Reap #siemreab #sites #temple #sweepingtomb #Tomb #Sweeping #Day #visitcambodia #visitsiemreap #wat #worldculturalheritage #incense #burning #offering #gifts #paper #money #car #motorcycle #villa #house

Cleaning and honour the ancestors graves

Today is Chhing Ming/Qing Ming, Tomb Sweeping festival in Cambodia

Originally a Chinese festival, Tomb Sweeping day is celebrated all over Southeast Asia among ethnic Chinese and local families through intermarriage.

Its many names point to the main theme of the day is: Spring Festival, Chinese Memorial Day, Ancestors' Day, Cleaning Ancestors grave, the Clear Brightness Festival, or the Pure Brightness Festival.

It is a celebration of spring, by honouring and remembering the ancestors by cleaning and decorate their graves, pray and bring offerings of food and drink, money and high value items. After the rites at the family graves, the family gathers at one of the family members’ homes to share food and drinks and have a small party.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2021/04/01/tomb-sweeping-day-chheng-meng-in-khmer-to/


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Framing the temple to the tree

Ta Prohm temple is often refered to as the the trees of life temple.

It was only proper to find a way of making the temple frame oe of the famous tall trees.

Several of the Banyan trees in this temple served as background in the Tomb Raider movie, making them instant, yet woody, celebrities.

Ta Prohm (Khmer: ប្រាសាទតាព្រហ្ម, "Ancestor Brahma") is the modern name of the structure. Originally it was called Rajavihara (Khmer: រាជវិហារ, "royal monastery"). It was built during the reign of the great ruler Jajavarman VII. Originally a monastery and university, and built to honour the kings mother, with the gates each side honouring the kings brother and his guru.

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