Preah Vihear Temple

Preah vihear temple which in Khmer called Prasat Preah Vihear is the most magnificent temples of all in Cambodia. It stands on the edge, atop at 525 meters cliff of the Dangrek mountain range that straddles the Thai border. In 1962, following a lengthy dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over ownership, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague awarded the temple to Cambodia. And on July 7th 2008, Prear Vihear was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

By ancient history, Preah Vihear temple was a Hindu temple which was built between the late 9th and early 10th century under the successive of four kings: Yasovarman I (AD 889-910), Suryavarman I (AD 1000-1108), Suryavarman II (AD 1114-1150) and Jayavarman (1080-1108). As a key edifice of the empire’s spiritual life, Prear Vihear temple was supported with great constructed by the four kings with the wonderful elements of architectural styles.

Prasat Prear Vihear comes from the compound Khmer words which is meant Sacred Shrine Castle. The first temple construction was in the early 9th century, then in the following centuries it was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva in his manifestations as the mountain gods Sikharesvara and Bhagresvara.

The temple complex runs 800m along a north-south axis facing the plains to the north, from which it is now cut off by the international border. It consists essentially of a causeway and steps rising up the hill toward the sanctuary, which sits on the cliff top at the southern end of the complex.
There was the king’s residence at Prear Vihear temple, in which has two wings that probably shelter for pilgrims. The main temple used to worship high ranking supreme divinities, and this mighty group of buildings represents the center of the temple Complex.

The Naga Courtyard is the paved courtyard; it is 7m wide and 31.8m long. There is a stairway from here leads up to the first level Gopura. The stair heads are in style of seven-headed snakes which faced north toward the temple.

The first level Gopura is the pavilion looks great in its architectural style and has an elevated cross-plan, rebates and triangular lintels over its doorways. There are also stone lions at each doorway.

The front stairway is the main passage on the north side. The stairway is 8m wide and 78m long. The first landing has a large lion statue. Another flight of 54 steps is 4m wide by 27m long. It leads up to the second landing which also has a stone lion statue.

However, many parts construction of this side was extensively damaged by time. In addiction Prear Vihera temple was long-held by Khmer Rouge during civil war in Cambodia (1970-1980), so the surrounding area was heavily mined. It remains one of densest minefields on earth. Be careful when you are there, looking over to the forbid board mine area which avoid from danger, stick to well-used paths, avoid over ground area.

Visiting Prear Vihear temple you will be more astonishing with the most spectacular of Khmer temple, the wonderful style construction, and the fantastic natural surrounding from the top mountain of about 525m elevated, which has never seen. “I was lucky to be there with my family by 2009, the first venue as the first sight at Prear Vihear temple wonder, it made me could not describe how I pride of my nation and my wonder country.” Sophorn the handsome guy said while he was there.

Beside of the wonderful temple, there are many interested places. For example, the two large ponds with great building by stone, one used as the holy water for people who worship the sacred temple’s Gods, and the second is in used as the water basin. However, both of ponds dried in hot season, and makes difficult for people who permanence living here with deficient of water. When my family came here, we were all appreciated to take the holy water with great believe on the sacredness of the temple Gods will bring us good luck, healthy and harmony life forever.

Poy Tady is the edge stone cliff site where most of visitors like standing up to look down at the fantastic view ground base far away on the both side of Khmer as well as Thailand. The environment here is chilly with fresh cool air and greenness of nature. Locals said that Tady (means Mr. Dy) was the name of the famous captain army former in this region, who has gained respect from people in the area, and until now they still believed that his spirit became the sainted of this area.

The Keosekhakirisaras pagoda is located nearby temple, it’s the sacred area for Khmer people here as well as the worship point for visitors coming at this site.
Today, travel to Prear Vihear is easier than before, because a new access road construction was successfully completed. And also many services for tourists such as food stores and accommodations are available for visitors who interested to Prear Vihear Temple, the World Heritage of Cambodia.