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| Combodia's Temple © Paul Szewczyk / Unsplash |
From caves to deep forests, because of the cultural significance and unique combination of ancient shrines, you will surely be excited to catch these ruins in your eyes. Be eager to visit all these ten temples in Cambodia.
Cambodia, with its rich history of ancient beautiful and magnificent temples, is a country in Southeast Asia that offers glimpses of the era of history, culture and tradition. Standing as the temple, these ruins that, despite war and decay, are still miraculously alive to entice the travellers with their architecture and purity. These beautiful ancient temple spread around the country has been reflecting the landscape for centuries, undoubtedly reflecting Hinduism and Buddhism. Despite the country suffering emotional and physical damage in recent years, the country is now welcoming its international guests in greater numbers. Millions of people from all over the world are excited to visit Cambodia to take stock of the beautiful architecture and grandeur of the temples.
The unique combination of rock cut art and carving in Cambodia's temples makes it more interesting. Guests also need to pay attention to maintain the delicateness and cultural significance of temples, thereby preserving for future generations. After visiting the temples, your mind will surely urge to hold on for life, and bring it back to ancient civilization. Here is a list of some of cambodia's best temples, although these are not exhaustive.
1 of 8 - Koh Ker
Koh Ker, the capital of ancient Cambodia from 928 AD to 944 AD, is a forest town set in the far-flung part of about 120 kilometers (close to three hours) through bumpy - rough roads from The Siem Reap. According to legend, the city was established by King Jayavarman IV to worship the god of happiness, Trey Bhuvaneswari. At present, the area is full of forests and nature has taken a hold on it. More than 180 sanctuaries have been found in this protected area hidden in almost heavy deciduous clusters but only 20 can be seen by visitors, as most temples are hidden due to landmine clearing - they are not allowed. The city is mentioned in the inscriptions of various ruins as Lingapura which means the city of lingams. Visitors can also climb to the top to catch the breathtaking view of the entire region and find some of the best examples of Khmer architecture in the Prasat Banteay Peechean and Prasat Prang complex.
Location - Preah Vihear, Cambodia
2 of 8 - Ta Prohm
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| Ta Prohm Temple © Daniel Lienert / Unsplash |
Ta Prohm is a large Buddhist temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia, built in the late 12th century Bayon style. The labyrinthine corridors of the temple, located amidst dense forest, huge tree roots and tree vines draping from the temple in all directions have attracted the attention of visitors to Ta Prohm. Nature has had a great influence on the ruins, with an incredibly spooky sight revealed by many large banyan, fig and kapok trees. In almost places - inscriptions engraved on stones in the premises expose visitors to the story of the temple's history and ruins. Ta Prohm is still in the same condition as it was found today, unlike the Angkorian temples.
When you walk around the complex, you discover how nature has built a powerful grip on man-made relics. About a kilometre east of Angkor Thom, it was built by Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a royal monastery and university and in its heyday, used to be a place of worship for devotees coming from villages around the temple. You need to devote at least two hours to walk around the premises. For the conservation and restoration of the forest, APSARA and archaeological survey of India work together under the partnership project.
Location - Siem Reap, Cambodia
3 of 8 - Angkor Wat
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| Angkor Wat Temple © Daniel Lienert / Unsplash |
In fact, Cambodia also has the most magnificent temple, and the most well-preserved temple in the Angkor region. There are a series of more than 100 stone temples in almost the entire Angkor region, with the unesco World Heritage Site Angkor Wat temple being a star attraction of the country for tourists. The huge temple has 5 concentrated rectangular walls as well as moats, which is considered to symbolize a cosmic chain of mountains and ocean. The central tower of the temple represents Mount Meru. The temple is originally dedicated to Hindu Lord Vishnu which was built by Suryavaram II between 1113 and 1150 BC. The temples are so magnificent that when it reflects on the reservoir next to it, it automatically evokes words to praise. When you enter the temple complex, you will be greeted by a series of sculptures depicting various episodes from the epics of Hinduism, Ramayana and Mahabharata. Carving and artistry architecture is such that you will be amazed after seeing.
Location - Siem Reap, Cambodia
4 of 8 - Preah Khan
With Bayon-like carvings, It is one of the largest temples located in the holy place of angkor complex. In Cambodia, the Preah Khan Temple was built by King Jayavarman VII in the twelfth century. With a unique mixture of both religions, the temple used to be a sacred site for followers of Hinduism and Buddhism as it was dedicated to about hundred devtas and eighteen festivals were held here as grand event. As the translation of the name Preah Khan is the Holy Sword, and an inscription on exploration in the temple complex shows that this temple was built at the place where they defeated the invaders of Champa. The temple not only served as a monastic house of worship, but also a university with elements of Buddhist, Vaishnava and Shaiva worship with starring separate shrines for Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. It is one of the best maintenance by the World Monuments Fund, an international organization working to preserve cultural sites, and you have to dedicate at least two hours to collect the maximum memories of this complex.
Location - Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
5 of 8 - Bayon
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| Bayon Temple © Vannrith Va / Unsplash |
In Bayon you are definitely going to feel a little uncomfortable; When you see more than 200 smiling stone faces that are staring at you. This beautiful intriguing Khmer temple in Cambodia is situated amidst the dense forests of angkor ruins, with no wall or moat around it. Scholars believe that all these sculptures represent Avalokitesvara, while some scholars have described King Jayavarman VII, who used to be a powerful Khmer king at the end of the 12th century. The temple was built as a state temple by King Jayavarman VII at the end of the 12th century and during the beginning of the 13th century and then after the reign of his son, the temple was converted into a Hindu place of worship. The temple complex has 50 pillars with smiling faces (each face is 4 meters high).
Location - Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
6 of 8 - Banteay Srei
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| Banteay Srei Temple © Sabine Dau / Pixabay |
The Banteay Srei temple, known as the Temple of Women, is located in Angkor Archaeological Park in which the incredibly complex stone carving of Khmer art is considered to be the famous jewel. Although this temple is confined in size as compared to other temples, you will be mesmerized after seeing the artistry in the temple complex. This unique temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was built not by any ruler but by a Brahmin and scholar in the 10th century (AD 967). The temple is adorned with a variety of motifs, elaborate carvings and figures of gods and depicts many mythological Hindu events - the killing of the demon Hiranyakasipu by Narasimha God, the duel between King Bali and his brother Sugreeva and more. The temple, which has been in ruins for a long time, was renovated after it was discovered by the French in 1914, and which has led to the restoration of many other important structures.
Location - Siem Reap, Cambodia
7 of 8 - Pre Rup
Pre Rup Angkor, pyramid-shaped temple is one of the most unique temples in Cambodia built by Rajendravarman II in 961 or early 962 as the state temple of Khmer king. This three-tier temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is completely made of brick, laterite and grey sandstone. However, the name of the temple is underlined with the Pre Rup which comparatively means "bend the body". According to legend, the temple has been linked to funeral rituals and this common belief remains among the people of Cambodia. Much of the temple has been ruined, but it was discovered and renovated by French conservators in the 1930s. The panoramic view of the temple due to the red color of bricks attracts visitors during sunrise or sunset.
Location - Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
8 of 8 - Beng Mealea
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| Boeng Mealea Temple © Frank Starmer / Flickr |
Beng Mealea, often also known as Boeng Mealea, is a temple of the Angkor Wat period in the main group of temples in Cambodia. Beyond all the crowded attractions in Cambodia, this ancient ruins are an authentic ideal site of mystery and unstable status for those trying to find adventures amid dense forest. Visitors can walk on a pile of huge moss stones of ruins in the temple and climb wherever they want (if they dare) as you get the most freedom for scraping. The temple, which has long been lost in the Cambodian forest, was built as a Hindu temple by the King Suryavarman II and the ancient beautiful detailed and complex carvings of the temple are worth seeing which depict Buddhist motifs. The primary material in the construction of this miniature temple is red sandstone, and it was very difficult to reach it for a few years but can be reached by a main road recently built for visitors. The doors in the temple are very low and it is inconveniently, but incredibly unique experience for visitors!
Location - Siem Reap, Cambodia
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