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Sunday, 30 November 2014
Kbal Spean Mountaint
Kbal Spean
Kbal Spean lies 50 kilometers northeast of Siem Reap pro-vincial town or about 18 kilometers from Banteay Srei on a dirt road. It takes from one to two hours to get there from the provincial town.
The original River of Thousand Lingams, Kbal Spean is an intricately carved riverbed deep in the foothills of the Cam-bodian jungle. Lingams are phallic representations sacred to Brahmanism as symbols of fertility, and hundreds of them are carved into the rock here, as are several carvings of gods and animals above the small waterfall.
The area was rediscovered in 1969, when French researcher Jean Boulbet was shown the carvings by a local hermit.
A visit to Kbal Spean, a reference to the natural rock bridge, is one of the easiest ways to take a short jungle trek in the Angkor area. It is a 30-minute walk to the carvings through steamy forest and some curious rock formations. It is best to try to visit between July and December, at other times of year the river rapidly dries up.
The access to the trail is not permitted after 3:30pm. Food and drinks are available at the base of the trail.
Phnom Kulen National Park
Phnom Kulen National Park
Kunlen mount is situated at north east of Angkor Complex about 50 Km, it takes approximately 2 hours drive up to the hill top with 487 meters height and plateau stretches 30 km long, it is opened for tourists in 1999 by private owned and charged for $20 toll per foreign visitors. The company developed road up to the peak. It is only possible to go up before 11 Am and only possible to come down after midday, to avoid vehicles meeting on the narrow road.
Kulen is considered by Khmers to be the most sacred mountain in Cambodia and it is a popular place for domestic visitors during weekends and festivals. The hill is used as the ancient capital city II in AD 802 to declared himself as god king and announced independence from Java, then giving birth to present day Cambodia.
On the hilltop there are 56 Angkorian temples made of bricks and volcanic stones, but most of them are badly in poor condition, today name Hahendrapura, founded in the reign of King Jayavarman temple base only is remain intact.
The visible sites in modern day are Prasat krau Romeas, Rong Chen ( the first mountain temple), Sra Damrei ( Elephant pond), Thousands of phallic symbols carved a long liver bed and divided in three ports for the Hindu trinity gods. These three ports used for baptistery. At the summit of the hill you can see Buddhist pagoda and a large reclining Buddha statue 8 meters length carved into a sandstone bock in 16th century.
The last attractive spot is a waterfall, it splits in two spots the first waterfall is four or five meters heights and 20 to 25 diameters in dry and raining seasons. The second waterfall is 15 to 20 meters heights and 10 to 15 diameters in dry and raining seasons.
The water is considered holy and Khmers like to bottle it to take home with them. The source of water eventually flows in to Tonle Sap Lake and is thought to bless the water ways of Cambodia.
About Us
My Background
Name : Noeb Voeurn
I was born in Siem Reap Province so i know about Siem Reap clearly, if you want go to visit anywhere i can pick you up with your destination place. sometime i can bring you go to visit some of temples that most Cambodian poeples they did't know too, cos i am a reseacher about imfomation of the temples in Siem Reap Province too.
I was born in Siem Reap Province so i know about Siem Reap clearly, if you want go to visit anywhere i can pick you up with your destination place. sometime i can bring you go to visit some of temples that most Cambodian poeples they did't know too, cos i am a reseacher about imfomation of the temples in Siem Reap Province too.
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The Great Lake Tonle Sap & Floating Village - What to See
The Great Lake Tonle Sap
Five provinces circled the area of Tonle Sap Lake, more than three million of population inhabited around the bank of the Lake and 90% of them earn a living by catching fish and making agricultures. As you can see on the map of Cambodia It stretches across the northwest section of the country.
The Lake is the largest fresh water in South East Asia. Its dimension changes depending on the monsoon and dry season. During raining season from June to October, the lake is filled by water flowing from the Mekong with 14 meters in depth and expands the surface of 10,000 square Kilometers. In dry season from November to May its size 3,000 square kilometers with two meters in depth and water flows out from the Lake to the Mekong, in and out flowing is the natural phenomenon occurrences. The flooded forest surrounding the edge of the lake is the best shelter and also very important for all kinds of fishes spawned and breeding babies. This lake providing many of biodiversities, over 300 species of fresh water fishes, as well as snakes, crocodiles, tortoises, turtles and otters. More than 100 varieties water birds including storks, pelicans, etc
The Lake is also an important commercial resource, providing more than half of the fish consumed in Cambodia. In harmony with the specialized ecosystems, the human occupations at the edges of the lake is similarly distinctive - floating villages, towering stilted houses, huge fish traps, and an economy and way of life deeply intertwined with the lake, the fish, the wildlife and the cycles of rising and falling waters
The lake located about 15 km south of Siem Reap town; you can make your journey from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh by express boat crossing the lake and dock at the village of Chong Khneas. Its takes only six hours, but this trip we may recommend you during Monsoon season. In dry season the boat sometimes stuck in mud because the water is low. There are several ways to see the culture and wildlife of the lake area depending on the amount of time you have and your interest.
Chong Khneas is the name of famous floating village at the edge of the lake. It locates at Southern part of Siem Reap town about 15 Km, and takes only 30 minutes by vehicles to the boat dock where there are always boats waiting for visitors. The boat trip through the floating village takes approximately two hours. You will explore the different of Khmer, Muslim and Vietnamese floating households and the floating markets, fisheries, clinics, schools, basketball course, pigsty and other boatloads of tourists.
Chong Khneas, was before very interesting, but now region is owned by private firm they did increasing prices and the area looks more commercial. The boat trip usually includes two stops: one at a touristy floating 'fish and bird exhibition' with a souvenir and snack shop, and the other at the very highly recommended Gecko Environment Centre, which offers displays and information introducing the ecology and biodiversity of the lake area.
Neak Pean Temple
Neak Pean Temple
In the middle of the last Baray (the Preah Khan Baray or Jayatataka) you can find a small island with a temple called Neak Pean áž”្ážšាសាáž‘áž“ាáž‚áž–័áž“្áž’ (sometimes transliterated as Prah Khan), constructed by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII.
The temple sits in the middle of a lotus pattern of four pools – surrounded by eight more pools, which are not conserved. What does Neak Pean mean?
The meaning of Neak Pean
Neak Pean means ‘coiled serpents’, which encircled the temple. Neak Pean was build in the direction of the statue of the horse, Balaha, which should save drowned sailors.The temple was dedicated to Buddha, but you can find also several Hindu images in it. People say the water in the pond have healing properties.Preah Khan was a kind of second city in the Angkorian empire. Neak Pean is very photogenic in the wet season when enough water is in the pools.
Neak Pean is based on the ancient Hindu belief of balance. The four connected pools represents the elemens fire, water, earth and wind. The ancients believed that going into these pools would b ehealthy by balancing the elements in the bather.
Four chapels at each cardinal direction
The North chapel placed in by the head of the elephant symbolized of the water element.
The West chapel placed in by the head of the horse symbolized of the wind element.
The South chapel placed in by the head of Lion symbolized of the Fire element.
The East chapel placed in by the head of the Human symbolized of the Earth element.
Preah Khan Temple
Preah Khan Temple
Nagara Jayasri
In 1191, five year after the building of Ta Prohm, the king dedicated this temple to be the shelter of the idol of his father, Dharnindravarman II, in the likeness of Bodhisattva Lokesvara. The causeways lead to the temple are bordered by the same figures carrying a Naga symbolized the Churning the Sea of Milk. This architectural element was the mark of a royal city. It may have served as a temporary residence of King Jayavarman VII while he was rebuilding the capital after the Charms sacked Angkor in 1177. Preah Khan is the name of the sacred sword, the safeguard of Cambodia, which is preserved in the palace of Phnom Penh, it seems that there is a connection between this precious arm and the name of the monument, a name which is not unique among the temple of the country. It is among the largest monuments. It includes a set of four concentric enclosures are longer to the east and west (800m by 700m, 7m high), giant Garudas and serpents are decorated every 50m around the 3km long wall. The wall of central complex forms quadrilateral 250m by 175m with Gopuras or entrance pavilion - with three passages. The avenues 250m long towards the entrances.
The inscription found in 1939 tells us: there were 430 images with 5,324 villages totaling 97,840 tax payers of box sexes. The stele enumerates the monuments attached to Preah Khan, including among other temples: Krol Ko, Ta Som and the little Sanctuary - Neak Pean "an eminent island, whose Charm lies in its surrounding ponds which cleans the soil of sins from those who visit it". Among the many religious foundation of the King listed on the stele of Preah Khan: Lopburi, Supan, Ratburi, Pichburi and Muong Sing, all today in Thai territory. Perhaps it was to house statues of this type that some ot the provincial sanctuaries were built- Sanctuaries whose style indicates that they belonged to the time of Jayavarman VII e.g. Wat Nokor at Kompong Cham, and Ta Prohm at Bati. This stele mentions 121 resting house constructed along the roads that fanned out over the kingdom:
57 on the road from Angkor to the capital of Champa
17 on the road from Angkor to Phimai (200km)
46 leading to some cities which we still do not know
one at Phnom Chisor.
They were spaced from 12 to 15km apart; we know 8 of the 17 which bordered the road from Angkor to Phimai. Beng Mealea, Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Banteay Chmar, each has its own, constructed in the temple enclosure to the East entrance. This system was still in existence a century later as Chinese envoy Chou Ta Kuen wrote in his account of his voyage: "A long the important roads there are resting places similar to our posting houses".
In 1191 after only ten years of the reign, when the program was not yet completed, according to the stele at Preah Khan, there were more than 20,000 idols in gold, silver, bronze and stone spread all over the kingdom. The service of their cult required 306,372 servitors, living in 13,500villages and consuming 38,00 tons of rice yearly.
The creation of these resthouse went hand in hand with a widespread campaign for sanitation which evidenced by the 102 hospitals scattered over the country. These shelters for the sick were certainly built of light materials. We know the location of 33 hospitals of Jayavarman VII, that is a third. The foundation steles give us the interesting in formation about their organization; the inscription tells us that the hospital is placed under the auspices of Buddha- the healer, Bhaisaj Yaguru Vaiduryaprabha "the master of remedies, with the shinig beryl" whose statue was one of the most popular Buddha and still is today in China and Tibet.
The four castes could be cared for in these hospitals. There were:
2 doctors, each assisted by a man and 2 women, 2 store-keepers with the job of giving of the fuel and water as well as for cleaning the temple, 2 servitors to prepare the offerings for Buddha, 14 hospital attendants, 6 women to heat the water and to grind the medicines, 2 women to pound the rice. The total number of workers who were housed was 33. Besides them there were 66 lodged at their own expense, making a total of 99.
Rice for offerings to the divinities was fixed at a bushel a day, and the leftovers were given to the patients. The list of provisions taken three times a year in the Royal stores included:
Honey, sugar, camphor, sesame, spices, black mustard, cumin, nutmeg, coriander, fennel, cardamon, ginger, cubed, vetiver, cinnamon, myrobalan, jujube, vinegar, the quantities of each of which are exactly stated.
Besides the provincial hospitals whose management we have just described there were also a certain number of more important establishment in the big center, especially at Angkor. The stele says: The government health service consumed 11,192 tons of rice annually, produced by 838 villages with a population of 81,640 people. The hospital 3,402kg nutmegs, 48,000 febrifuges, 1,960 boxes of salve for hemorrhoids and so on in proportional amounts.
Banteay Srei temple (Woman temple)
Banteay Srei temple
BanteaySrei temple was built by a Brahmin Yajnavaraha with his younger brother in 967AD in the middle of 10th century. While at that period, king Jayavarman V wasstill very young about 15 years old, when his father king Rajendravarman II haddied. Thus, all administrative affairs and religious practices include to buildtemples was under organized by his guru Brahmin Yajnavaraha. BrahminYajnavaraha was also a royal blood who was a grandson of king Hurshavarman I.
BanteaySrei was a new name which meaning in Khmer is "Citadel of Woman". Butaccording to inscription on the door piers of its structure tells us that theoriginal name of this temple was Isvarapura which meaning inCambodian is the city of Shiva.Thus, from its origin name we can tell that Banteay Srei was a Hindu temple anddedicate to Shiva.
BanteaySrei is just only temple in the Angkor periodthat built of pink and yellow sandstone. The pink and yellow sandstone are highquality material more than the gray and green sandstone that used to buildAngkor Wat and Bayon so on. As pink and yellow sandstone are so hard, that iswhy the carving of Banteay Srei are still good condition and very exquisite.
TheTemple wasrediscovered by French in 1914 , but the site wasn’t cleared until 1924 . thetheft of the several important pieces of sculptures and lintels by a Europeanexpedition , meticulously planned by the young Frenchman , Malraux , caused agreat scandal in 1923 , but hastened the archaeological work . The thieves wereheld under house arrest in Phnom Penhand only released after the return of the stolen pieces .
Thenin 1924, ten years after they knew itslocation, Mr Henri Marchal a French architect in the Angkor Conservation Departmentwas sent to study a method of anastylosis with Dutch in Borobudur temple of Indonesia. Because at that time Dutchrestored Borobudur temple in a system ofanastylosis.
Anastylosisis Greecewords that mean, "When a pillar had fallen down, they have to raise itspillar back to its origin spot". It is also meaning that the anastylosissystem is avoid to use the new material and avoid to carve the same detailsfrom its origin as well.
MrHenri Marchal was getting a great success for his job of restoration BanteaySrei temple for about 10 years. We noticed that when they saw Banteay Sreibefore restoration it completely collapsed and shrouded by jangle. Saying thatMr. Henri Marchal faced a difficult security problem with Khmer Isarak whostruggled in gorilla war fought against French colonial during his teams workedin Banteay Srei. That is why some part of this temple is never done. But nowthe Swiss teams will continue the restoration from French.
Firstentrance:
This entrance structuredecorated with Indra God of Rain and King of Paradise riding on three headedelephant’s name Aravata.
Belowis Kala face figure. Kala was a monster guardian over the temple doorway . Atthe edge of the pediment there are Nagas coming out from the mouth of Makara.Makara is a Hindu mythical sea creature combined with sneak body, lion head andsometimes with elephant trunk. At the door frames of the first entrancestructure there are octagonal balusters with its very beautiful details.Octagonal is significant of the eight direction of the universe.
Thisentrance structure originally had used woods to build the roof, due to theearlier period of Angkor in the 9th to 10th century; the Khmer monumental temples alwaysused the timber for its roof construction, instead of using sandstone.
Causeway:
Khmermonumental temples share very similar layout and plans. For example, at first,you will have an entrance, then you will see a causeway leading to temple, andthe moat surrounding so on. However, of course, their architectural templestyles are completely different. The first causeway of Banteay Srei hasmeasured of 67m long and flanking with 34 sandstone lanterns on each side. Thiscauseway paved by laterite. Lanterns are symbolic of flame.
Along this causeway, therewere two halls, one on the each side. Originally, these halls were using as aresting area for the pilgrims.
At the first causeway,there are several constructions with empty roof. But their pediments, theirbalusters, and their lintels so on are still excellent shape with veryexquisite carving into the pink sandstone. According to inscriptions, thosestructures served as resting halls and to install the sacred Hindu statues aswell
NorthernResting House
When we walk in for a halfof causeway if we turn to the north this building was serving as a place forpilgrims taking a rest its pink sandstone pediment has excellent carving, whichdepicting Narashimha is tearing chest of Hiranyakashipu. Narashimha is half manand half lion. He was a number four of Vishnu incarnations who came to convincethe Demon king Hiranyakashipu in order to retrieve the three worlds from thistyrant ruler.
SouthernResting House
To the south of midwayfrom the causeway, there are three resting houses. The middle is the biggest othertwo which are poor condition, but the one in the middle has excellent pediment.This pediment is depicting Shiva riding on his Bull with his wife Pavati.
Betweenthe first entrance to the second entrance, there are several more pediments onthe ground, Among of those pediments are lying on the ground, there is one onthe north has very interesting story which depicting a chapter of Ramayana,where king of Lanka Ravana adducted Sita, and we also see two brothers (Ramaand Laksmana) appearing near golden deer.
Secondentrance:
Thefirst causeway measured of 67m long ended at the second Gopura. At the doorframes of the second entrance, there areinscriptions written by the builder Brahmin Yajnavaraha. The inscriptions tell us the date of the temple, tellus the king and his religion foundation, tell us the ritual ceremonies with thesandal woods to the Fire God and also tell us Destroyer God Shiva and hisconsorts who represented to a Linga and Yoni so on
Enclosurewall:
Atthe second entrance, there is a laterite wall, this wall measures of 90m X 110m, and the same as a moat surrounding the wall as well. Move onthe mouth of this moat from the Gopura a bit to south, there are several lintels and pediments lying on theground. Among of those motifs there is a lintel which depicting Brahma riding on a Sacred Goose andaccompany with two lions.
Secondcauseway:
Thereis a short causeway crossing the moat and leading to the third Gopura. To havetwo causeways in the Khmer temple complex are the significant the rainbowbridges of connection from underworld to the world (first causeway) and from the world to heavens (second causeway).
ThirdGopura:
Thisentry tower has a unique character, because the decoration motifs in thisGopura is quite different from any temples that we have seen. They designedwith the double door gateways, an addition there are so beautiful spiral at theedge of the pediments and the spire of the entrance designed with extraordinarydiamond motifs and the fire flame stay on top. But the motif of the fire flamewhich to serve as the entrance’s spire had stolen just in 1993, otherwise itwould be the same as the one on the second one. On the lintel depicting Laksmei Goddess of Beauty and GoodFortune , She is blessing by two white elephants before married to Lord Vishnu.
Atthe third Gopura, there is also another enclosing laterite wall. This wallmeasured of 38m X 42m. When we enterto this Gopura, then we have a rectangular pedestal in the middle of the room.This pedestal there are two holes it might for holding the statues of God andGoddess Shiva and Uma
FourthGopura:
Atthe pediment of the fourth Gopura and just at the front of Bull Nandi, there isa unique detail carving depicting Shiva heGenerated in the action of performance a dance.
Thefourth Gopura, there is another wall built of brick. So far, this brick wall ismuch ruined, it's more than 2m high. This enclosing wall has ameasure of 24m X 24m to separate from the public compound (third wall)to the VIP compound. Originally, the public would not enter to the centralshrine at all. The central tower was a compound of the royal family and highpriests to go in.
Insidethis square compound, there are two library buildings. Library buildings builtof laterite mixing with pink sandstone. Its real doors are facing to thewest. Libraries of the Khmer templesmust appear in pair one the north and another one on the south. It was theplace to keep the holy text books and the place to pray to the Fire God as well.
SouthernLibrary :
Thesouthern library depicting a Hindu myth of Ravanaking of demons Shaking Mt. Kalasa home of Shiva , While Shiva and his wife werehaving the meditation .
Thewest pediment of southern library got carving details depicting the story of Kamashutra God of Love Shooting Arrowof Love to Lord Shiva .
NorthernLibrary:
Theeast pediment of northern library got a great reliefs depicting one of the chapters of Mahabaratta where Indra and Agni got a challenge.
Thewest pediment of north library gotthe relief depicting a chapter ofMahabaratta where Krisna thehero of the story came to kill his uncle king Kamsa, in order to revenge him to his parents. By the way, Krisnais provoking to remove all tyrants from Kurushatra region.
Thecentral towers:
Thecentral towers of Banteay Srei designed with three temple shrine and all thethree standing on a single platform. The three temple shrines are representedto the Trinity of Hindu. The onelocated in the middle dedicating to LordShiva, The northern shine was dedicated to Lord Vishnu, The southern tower shrine was dedicated to Lord Brahma .
Asthe typical smaller shrine of the Khmer temple, the holy shrines of BanteaySrei got only one real door on the east, while three other doors designed withthe blind ones. We believed that in each shrine originally used to install thestatues of the Trinity, but now nothing remain.
Westentrance:
Therelief on the pediment depicted a chapter of Ramayana where two monkeys who are brother being struggled, then Rama and Laksmana took an intervention to shoot older monkey under the nameof Valin, in order to help a youngermonkey Sokriva. When Sokrivaproclaimed as a king of monkey, then he could send his monkey troops to helpRama to flight against Ravana inLanka for his wife Sita .
Angkor Thom (Bayon temple)
Bayon Temple
The Bayon temple was constructed in the late 12th century ( in year 1181-1220 ) by king Jayavarman VII. Bayon is a second important monumental temple in the area after Angkor Wat. Bayon also was considering as the last stone temple ever built in the period of the Khmer empire. That’s mean, when the Khmers had finished the Bayon temple, the Khmers in the Angkor period were not able to build any more stone temples. Because the country began to decline.
Bayon located exactly in the center of Angkor Thom, which 1.50km away from each monumental gate. Before restoration done by French, you could not see its temple structure at all. Because the jungle took over densely. But in 1916 they had cleared the forest away from its building, and then they began to restore until the war broken in Cambodia in 1970.
Bayon has a meaning in Khmer the Magic. They designed with 49 towers and in each tower decorated with the four faces of the compassionate Bodhisattva Avalokesvara with a combination of king Jayavarman VII's face as well.
The 54 towers of Bayon and Angkor Thom are represented to 54 days of the lunar calendar of the two circle of moon. In addition, as 54 are considering as a lucky number link to the astrological concept, then king Jayavarman VII had arranged the territory of the Khmer Empire with 54 provinces. Thus, Bayon temple was also a replica of the Khmer Empire territory.
When French began to work in this temple, they thought Bayon was a Hindu temple dedicated to Brahma (The Creator) in the 9th century. They judged to the Brahma because according to the four faces on each tower and they judged for 9thcentury because the temple looked too old as they did not realize yet about Rolous Group temples.
But in 1933 when the excavation work began at the central tower, then made them very surprised and understand that Bayon was a Buddhist temple not a Hindu temple and built in late of 12th century only not in 9th century. The excavation about 14m deep at the center chamber of Bayon were done, they found a big broken Buddha and Sanskrit inscription, it clarify about the temple’s function , temple’s symbolizing , date and the reign of temple builder. French had repaired this statue in 1935 by the request of king Monivong they decided not put this magnificent Buddha statue in the original spot of the Bayon, but they moved to Vihear Prampi Loveng, which located along an avenue to the Victory Gate of Angkor Thom.
Buddha-Mahathana. Besides, they found Buddha-King statue in the central tower, French also found an image of Lokesvara. This was the another proof to make French scholars know exactly that the Bayon was a Buddhist temple in Mahayana sect. Lokesvara image, which they just found at a pediment of the second level, later on French decided to open the stone floor from the third level in order to make the visitors are able to see Lokesvara image easily from the third level. So that the visitors don't need to go down to see the image.
According to a Chinese ambassador Chou Ta kuon, who living in city of Angkor Thom for one year in 1295.1296 had mentioned in his recording which still existed today about Bayon, he called Bayon Temple as a "Golden Tower" because at that time at the tip of its central tower was gilded.
An addition, he also mentioned about there were dozens Buddha statues in gold in some chambers of Bayon as well. For the base of central tower of Bayon has designed with round shape. This concept was symbolized of the "Wheel of Life" in the Buddhist beliefs. On the base of Bayon's central sanctuary had also arranged with 16 chambers. The 16 chambers of Bayon are significant of the 16 spokes of Wheel of Life of Buddhism.
Originally, in each chamber of the central tower of Bayon temple installed statues which mixture religion between Buddhism, Hinduism, Personal Cult and the image of the Animism altogether. This concept was a sign to prove that King Jayavaraman VII has a great toleration to all people who believed in every religion. By the way, The main tower of Bayon decorated with 8 faces of the compassion Lokesvara, but now most of these stone faces on the main tower have been damaged by Vandalism in about 14th Century.
The minor towers of Bayon decorated with four faces only, and their sizes are not identical. As we have seen, some of them designed taller and bigger scale and some are smaller and shorter scale. The reason for that they built these tower to represent to the provinces in the Kingdom and for the concept of the tower are bigger and smaller due to the size of each province.
As those minor towers of Bayon were represented to the provinces of Khmer empire under the reign of king Jayavarman VII, that is why in each shrine of those tower were installed a Buddha statue which brought from each province where its tower standing for. Thus, Bayon was a most spiritual temple of king Jayavarman VII, because this temple combined spiritual powers from the sacred Buddha statues which coming from different part of the Kingdom.
The outer galleries of Bayon have a measure of 140m from north to south and 160m from east to west. All around these galleries there are very remarkable bas-reliefs which depicting the daily life of the common people, the royalty, the dignitary and the sea trade of Chinese merchants with Cambodia, and to record the war history with Chams when they invaded Angkor in 1177-1181 so on.
But at the inner galleries of the second level of Bayon comprises its bas-reliefs which depicting traditional ceremony in the royal palaces, the excursion of pilgrims, Khmer legends, the practice in daily life of hermits, Hindu and Buddhist mythologies so on.
Most of the visitors like Bayon temple more than other temples in the Angkor area. Because Bayon's layout and plans designed more complicity, then causing the visitors have a feeling of more mysterious and fantastic. Especially, when the visitors are at the second level and the third level of the temple. Because those level structures are complicated with its corridors inter connected, then created very gloomy and secret rooms, then the spiritual smiling faces of Lokesvara in every where you go, you turn at the third level.
The faces that steer at you from the Bayon towers symbolize of the four sublime states of Buddhism include Charity , Compassion, Sympathy and Equanimity to any one in the universal.
Ta Prohm Temples
THE TEMPLE OF THE TREES
French archeologists decided to leave Ta Prohm in its “natural state” so that future visitors could experience the same charm that affected Angkor’s early explorers. Additionally, the archeologists wanted to juxtapose Ta Prohm’s advanced state of ruin against the meticulously restored temples nearby.
King Jayavarman VII, who dedicated the temple to his mother, built Ta Prohm around 1186 CE. The construction of Ta Prohm was one of the crowning achievements of Jayavarman VII’s kingship, and the temple-city became tremendously powerful and wealthy in its time. Thousands of men worked in Ta Prohm to protect its enormous stores of gold and rare gems. Priests and monks wondered the temple grounds, upholding the temple’s stylistic devotion to the tenants of Buddhism. And a powerful military and royal presence reigned over more than 3000 neighboring villages. Archeologists believe that more than 12,000 people once lived in Ta Prohm.
Ta Prohm is best viewed in the early morning hours or the afternoon. Because of the temple’s unique appearance and fascinating history, you will surely want to spend hours here. Ta Prohm’s fallen structures will make you feel like a true explorer. There are crevices in Ta Prohm that open up into now-hidden vestibules and sanctuaries. Akthough fascinating, these crumbled monuments and crevices can be quite dangerous to explore. So wear some good walking shoes, and watch your step.
Only the western of Ta Prohm’s four gopuras (gateways) remains in good condition. The others have crumbled or have been swallowed by the fig and silk-cotton trees. Passing through the western gopura, visitors enter the temple’s massive courtyard. In the courtyard, you will get a wonderful panorama of local flora and ancient monuments existing in harmony.
ANGKOR WAT HISTORY
The People of Angkor
Cambodia’s Angkor period is defined by the six-century rule of the Khmer Empire. The dawn of the Khmer civilization is the subject of an ongoing historical debate, but many scholars consider the reign of King Jayavarman II to be the impetus for a unified Khmer people. His kingship began sometime in the late 8th or early 9th Century when a Brahman priest named Jayavarman II the chakravartin, or universal monarch over Cambodia. Despite the celebrity of Jayavarman II in Cambodian history, the details of his rule are rooted deeper in the sand of legend and lore than in the firm soil of historical fact.
Following the obscure kingship of Jayavarman II, the Great Indravarman usurped the Khmer throne. Indravarman’s rule is characterized by the design and construction of a complex irrigation system, remnants of which still exist today. Under Indravarman’s rule, the young Khmer Empire began conceiving the trademark Angkor architectural style, identified by its strong devotion to Hindu and Buddhist religious concepts. Ingeniously, the Khmer irrigation system was used to embellish the Khmer temples in the form of gargantuan reflection aqueducts and water storage ponds. More than 1,000 years after the rule of Indravarman, we still use water to reflect our buildings, homes, temples, and monuments.
Indravarman’s son, Yasovarman, continued the work of his father, constructing some of the most important temple complexes of the Common Era. Yasovarman is identified as the inaugurator of the Phnom Bakheng and the Lolei Temples. Under his rule, the capital of the Khmer Empire was established in Angkor.
Building the Angkor Wat Temple Complex
From the rule of Yasovarman to the 12th century design and construction of the Angkor Wat temple complex, the Khmer people blossomed into the most significant religious, military, and social civilization in Southeast Asia. Their authority blanketed all of modern-day Cambodia, reaching into Vietnam, China, and across the Bay of Bengal.
King Suryavarman II is responsible for the construction of the Angkor Wat temple complex. He dedicated the temple to Vishnu, the Supreme God of Vaishnavite Hinduism, which remained its patron deity until the Cambodian people consecrated Angkor Wat to Theravada Buddhism in the 14th or 15th Century. Under Suryavarman II, the temple complex also served as the capital of the Khmer Empire and a strategic military post. Curiously, the original name of the temple remains unknown. Historians have not been able to locate any artifacts or inscriptions that refer to the temple complex by name.
The enormity of Angkor Wat was conceived and constructed with a level of precision and intention that continues to evade the modern mind. Some scholars believe that the temple complex was built to take advantage of Angkor’s water-rich agricultural potential. Other scholars attribute the construction of Angkor Wat to the Khmer belief in earth-star harmonization. The temple’s ground plan replicates the position of the stars in the Draco constellation.
Large portions of the Angkor Wat temple complex remain unfinished. Historical theory suggests that construction ended when Suryavarman II died. Regardless of why construction ceased, the temple’s unfinished status adds to Angkor Wat’s mysterious appeal.
Angkor Wat after the Khmer Empire
Since the fall of the Khmer Empire in the 15th Century C.E., Angkor Wat has remained one of the most significant religious structures in the world. Even after the Thais sacked the city in 1431, people from all across Asia continued to take religious pilgrimages to the ruined city, attributing its enormity and beauty to the gods of Hinduism and Buddhism.
The history of the Khmer Empire exists in the stone of Angkor Wat alone. Written inscriptions of the temple’s history, if they ever existed, have escaped modern examination. After the Thai takeover, Buddhist monks continued to preserve and uphold the sacred status of Ankgor Wat, but they overturned the original dedication of the temple to Hindu deity Vishnu. In Vishnu’s stead, the gods and concepts of Buddhism became the ruling principles of Angkor Wat.
In 1860, the French led an expedition into the heart of Cambodia attempting, inspired by the European hunger for exploration and discovery. Since the mid-1800s Europe and the West have been spellbound by the ancient city of Angkor Wat. The French pioneered an Angkor Wat restoration project in 1908 that continues to this day.
EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF ANGKOR WAT
Notable Features: More than 2000 richly ornamented Apsara carvings. Gorgeous sunrise over the northern reflection pond.
Getting There: Angkor Wat, Cambodia is located about 5.5 km north of Siem Reap. It is impossible to miss, for it is the largest monument in Angkor. Any tuk tuk driver or tour guide will know how to get there.
The Angkor Wat temple is one of the most artistically and architecturally exquisite structures in the world. It is the largest religious monument ever built, and it is the showpiece of Cambodia’s Khmer heritage. Rising 65 meters above the earth, Angkor Wat’s presence is majestic and awe-inspiring.
King Suryavarman II built Angkor Wat in the first half of the 12th century, and dedicated the monument to the Hindu deity Vishnu. The carvings that date from this period are absolutely exquisite, depicting an array of Hindu figures and scenarios.
Sometime in the 16th century, Angkor Wat was consecrated to the principles of Theravda Buddhism. Under the veil of Buddhims, the temple was given its modern name. The Buddhist inhabitants of the Angkor Wat temples continued to ornament the monument’s walls and towers. Their work was inferior to the work of Suryavarman II, but intriguing nonetheless.
Angkor Wat Siem Reap represents the climax of the Khmer Empire’s military, political, and cultural dominance across present-day Indochina. It occupies an area of 210 hectares. Its moat alone is over 200 meters wide, and its walls measure 5.5 km in length. Even by modern construction standards, Angor Wat is gargantuan.
The Angkor Wat architects designed the temple in a quincunx formation. A quincunx is a temple blueprint in which 5 prasats (towers) are assembled in an “X” pattern. Cleverly, the ensemble of five towers was arranged in such a way that it can only be fully observed from special angles.
Angkor Wat’s five prasats are erected on a series of three terraced levels. The central prasat sits atop the highest of the three levels, and the remaining four prasats stand beneath it on the second tier.
More than 2000 delicately chiseled Apsara (female cloud spirit) carvings adorn the walls throughout Angkor Wat Siem, representing some of the most superb examples of Khmer art and stonework. The temple’s most detailed carvings can be seen on the exterior wall of the lower tier. This wall depicts scenes from Hindu lore, including fascinating renderings of mythical beasts, animals, and lotus blossoms. Viewing these carvings with a tour guide will help you understand their true meaning.
Curiously, Angkor Wat faces the west. Almost every other Angkorian temple faces the rising sun, or east. Angkor Wat’s westward orientation has led some scholars to believe that it was the burial temple of King Suryavarman II. The setting sun is often used in Khmer imagery to symbolize the cessation of the human life.
Angkor Wat’s interior is not as richly ornamented as the temple’s exterior walls. However, the interior walls still contain hundreds of wonderful bas-reliefs, depicting an array of Hindu images. From the temple’s central prasat, visitors are able to soak in a breathtaking view across the jungles of Angkor. Standing atop the mighty monument will humble visitors, while also inundating them with a sense of power and accomplishment.
The sunrise across the northern reflection pond is a popular tourist attraction. As the sun peaks through the limbs of the Cambodian jungle, the silhouette of Angkor Wat becomes apparent. Once the sunbeams breach the jungle canopy, they illuminate the temple’s red, pink, and salmon-colored sandstone. Every Angkor itinerary should include a sunrise at Angkor Wat.
Angkor Wat is best viewed in the light of the early morning or late afternoon. This is when the temple’s stone appears especially brilliant. Furthermore, you will want to spend a lot of time walking around Angkor Wat. After 2:00pm, much of the temple is shaded and, as a result, more comfortable to explore. The heat of high noon in Cambodia can be quite brutal.
Saturday, 29 November 2014
About Siem Reap
welcome to Siem Reap
Cambodia is a kingdom of wonder. It has many beautiful places to visit such as ancient temples, and natural resources. Angkor Professional Tour Guides briefs the geography, climate... for its tourists and readers to vision about Cambodia exactly. Angkor Professional Tour Guide informs a lot about Cambodia that is relating to the Khmer Tradition, culture, and civilization. If you want to know more information, please feel free to contact our Service, Thank you.
• Geography
Cambodia is comprising an area of 181 035 square kilometers, the kingdom of Cambodia was apart of ancient kingdom of Funan, Chenla and Angkor. Being the oldest Indianized state in the Southeast Asia, its religion was Hinduism. Today, Theravada Buddhism is the dominant religion. The Mekong River which flows through the country and the Tonle Sap (Great Lake) is the lifeline of the people who live along the waterways. The Tonle Sap is one of UNESCO Treasure since 1995, and one of richest resources of freshwater fish in the world. There are three mountain ranges the Cardamom Mountain in the south- west, the Dangrek Mountains in the north and the Eastern Mountains in the northeast.
•Climate
Cambodia has a tropical climate, warm and humid. In the monsoon season, abundant rain allows for the cultivation of a wide variety of crops. The year-round tropical climate makes Cambodia ideal for developing tourism. Travelers need not to fear natural disasters such as erupting volcanoes or earthquakes, and the country is not directly affected by tropical storms because of surrounding high land and mountains.
The coverage temperature is about 27 degrees Celsius; the minimum temperature is about 16 degrees. December and January are the coolest months, whereas the hottest is April, the temperature is about 35-37 degrees.
•Population and people
Of 14 million people, about 90% of them are ethnic Khmers. There are several minorities such as the Chams (Khmer Islam), Vietnamese and Chinese. Hill tribes such as The Pnoung, Stieng, Kuoy, Kroeng and Tom Pun dominate the country’s mountain regions.
• Religion
The official religion is Theravada Buddhism and almost 90% of population is of this faith. The rest are Muslim and Christians.
•Economy
About 80% of population works on their rice fields. Cambodia is rich in hardwood (teak and Mahogany) and gems which are found in the north-west. The economy operates on free Market principles. Cambodia has adopted one of the most liberal investment laws for foreign investors.
•Language
The official language is Khmer while the second language (spoken by the educated older Cambodian) is French. However nowadays, English has gained popularity.
•Transportation
The best most inexpensive way to take sights of Siem Reap is by Roe Mok (Motor cycle trailer or Tuk Tuk so-called today). Cars, Van, Mini buses, buses. We do not have any Metros, Trains, Taxis and City buses in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.
•Time
Cambodia has one time zone and seven hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)
•Currency
Riel is country’s currency. However the US dollar is second currency in Cambodia, too. Travelers Cheques in Us dollar, Visa card and Maestro cards etc, can be changed in ANZ Royal Bank in Siem Reap.
•Entry requirement
Avalid Passport and visa are required for entry. Your visas can be obtained at Pocheng Airport, Siem Reap airport, Boi Bet border, Voen Kam border, Anlong Veng and Bor Vet border as well on arrival. You have to bring two passport-size Photos and fill up the forms. A one month special Visa costs 20 US $ and a Business Visa costs 25 US $. Renew visas through a Angkor Advisor Travel Guides (AATG) or the Immigration Department located opposite the Phnom Penh International airport. For Airport tax, you have to pay 25 US $ for International and 6$ for domestic fight.
•Business hour
Government offices open from 7.30 am to 11.30 am and 2.30 pm to 5 pm on weekdays only. Travel agents, banks and other business open at 8 am 12 am and 2 pm to 5 pm.
•Electricity
All electric appliances use 220 volts.
•Communications
Mobile phones have become a necessity in Cambodia and almost everyone carries a mobile in this country. Mobile number start with 010, 012, 013, 05, 016, 017, 018, 092, 093, 097, 089, 098. and 090.
•Clothings
Most Cambodian are casual in their dressing except when they are attending formal events or business meetings . It’s not unusual to see both men and women wearing the krama, a long, narrow checked cotton cloth round their neck. The women like wearing Sampot at their home stay and they go somewhere else they wear the trousers or jeans. For the party they the traditional dresses like Hol and Pamoung..., the Krama is a versatile piece of cloth.
•Public holiday and events
01 January International New Year's Day.
07 January Victory day over the Khmer Rouge.
30 January Meak Bochhea Day
08 March International Women's Day.
14-15-16 April Cambodian New Year, "Bonn Chol Chhnam Khmer".
01 May International Labor's Day.
28 May Bonn Visaka Bochea “The Birthday of Buddha".
12 May Royal Ploughing ceremony “Bonn Chroat Preah Nongkaol".
13-14-15 May His Majesty king Seihamuni's birthday.
01 June International Children's Day.
18 June Samdech Preah Mohesey Norodom Monineath Sihanouk's Birthday.
24 September Constitutional Day.
7-8-9 October Bonn Pchum Ben.
23 October Paris Peace Agreement on Cambodia.
29 October Coronation Day of His Majesty King Norodom Seihamuni
31 His Majesty Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk's Birthday.
09 November Independence Day.
20-21-22 November Water & Moon Festival.
10 December International Human Rights
•Classical dance
An understanding of the meaning behind the intricate movements in classical dance results only from considerable study. But no study is necessary to be enthralled by seemingly effortless performance, the rich costumes, the complete involvement of performers in the story that they are dancing and the way in which dancer and music are one. The most popular dance drama epic of Ramayana. Besides this we have the coconut shell, peak cock, and fishing dances.
•Music
The music of Khmer, performed on traditional instrument plays an important part in the lives of the people, and companies all of the dancers, rituals and ceremonies.
Chong Kneas
Chong Kneas Village
Chong Kneas: is on the south of Siem Reap city. It is situated some 14 km from Siem Reap city. Chong Kneas is where the boat docks arrive from Battambong and Phnom Penh. It is one of four tourist attractions in Siem Reap. It is has thousand of boats waiting for tourists. This is a bit touristy but visitors are not going to see the floating villages by the same boats. They will hire private boat which only take them to see the floating houses. Life of those people relies on fishing. Trip to this place will see fish farm of the most fresh water fish that the fishermen raise, crocodiles farm, snakes carried by children, many kinds of fishing traps made of bamboos, Vietnamese village, Khmere or Cambodian village. These two villages are separate. Other than that, you also see the hammocks made of water hyacinth.
Kampong Khleang
Kampong Khleang: is located northern edge of the fresh water lake.It is 55 km from the city. This trip can be combined with Beng Melea, 12th century temple. The whole community has some five thousand stilted houses built on the shore and by the side of the river. In dry season, we see all houses are about 10 meters above the ground. There are 20,000 people living in those houses. They build them so close to each other, which make them look really good by real eyes and never want to miss to take to photos since it is the first time to visit.
During the monsoon season, the water rises up sometimes of the year to the floor of their houses. Boat ride during the dry season and rainy season is totally different. To see everything, boat ride will take 2 hours to see the villages, schools, market boats, floating houses.
as its unique flooded forests where you cannot find anywhere else in Cambodia.
Also, if somebody wants to donate something to the poor primary school, you can buy something like books, or other school materials from the city to those things to them. nnected by avenues of water from which individuals or boats full to the brim paddle their way between one another. Most people make their living from fishing here, and the scenery is beautiful.
Kampong Phluk
kompong phluk floating village
Kampong Phluk: is one of the lake site attractions which on the norther part of Tonle Sap. It is situated 20 km from Siem Reap city. The trip to this place can be combined with Roulos Group: Bakong, Lolei, and Preah Ko. Kampong Phluk means Harbour of the Tusks. The journey to visit Kampong Pluk will be visiting stilted houses, school children, fishermen and some activities of their fishing. Above all, Kampong Pluk has its unique flooded forests where you cannot find anywhere else in Cambodia. Also, if somebody wants to donate something to the poor primary school, you can buy something like books, or other school materials from the city to those things to them. nnected by avenues of water from which individuals or boats full to the brim paddle their way between one another. Most people make their living from fishing here, and the scenery is beautiful.
Our Tuk Tuk Service
Our Service
Siem Reap TUK TUK Driver Provide service like, Pick up at the airport or bus station
No matter how you arrive in Siem Reap, I am happy to offer a pick you up and transfer service to the airport or bus station to get you quickly to your accommodation.
Free Of Charge Siem Reap TUK TUK Driver to/from the Siem Reap Airport to your accommodation into Siem Reap City
Free Of Charge Siem Reap TUK TUK Driver to/from the river ferry dock at Chong Khneas
(Tonle Sap Boat Station)
Free Of Charge Siem Reap TUK TUK l Driver to/from the Siem Reap bus Station.
Whether you are in Cambodia for 1 day or 1 week, I can arrange and some itinerary to visit Angkor Wat and other attraction places in Siem Reap highlights according to your interest and budget only. I will be waiting for you at your arrival point and display your name on a board sign. A warm welcome awaits you on your arrival. Best of all, I will ensure that you are not disturbed by other drivers
Reliable Pick Up and Delivery
Cambodia what Cambodians call a Remork or Motor Trailer the foreign tourists like to call a tuk tuk. However, the Khmer tuk tuk is different to the Thai tuk tuk. One, two, three or four-person motorcycle trailers (moto-remorks) have surpassed motorcycle taxis (motodups) as the most popular form of transport. Tuk tuks are covered, offering reasonable protection from sun and rain and popular transport in Siem Reap City.
Siem Reap and the Angkor heritage area are great places to use tuk tuk or taxi. Because the distances between the temples are large ( 7 kilometres to Angkor Wat from down town Siem Reap), it is much easier to have some kind of motor transport. If you ride a bicycle it is difficult to take care of during the day, and you will need lots more energy to go around the entire temple tour circuit. There is not only Angkor Wat to visit. To see some of the best sights you also need see or to climb up and down the temples and mountains. With so many temples for you to visit, going by tuk tuk is much cheaper than if you go by taxi tour or use a bus tour company. The roads here are in good condition, both straight and flat, and the cool breeze from driving along the street is very pleasant (the weather is generally hot here from March to May). It is also easy to use a tuk tuk on the smaller roads where there is little traffic.
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