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PRASAT PREAH VIHEAR
In the 6th century , king Yasovarmamn I (
889-900) began work on the original dedicated to
Shisa as result of spiritual development, increased
political prestige and economic growth was n aturally
reflected in the Temple undergoing more than 300
years of consultation with deal of remodeling under
subsequent King Suryavarman II ( 1113 – 1150) this
increased prestige naturally changed the original
small sanctuary into one of the greatest Khmer
temples of all times. This ranking was the result of
the finest
in situ carving that depicted the highest standards
of unique Khmer architecture.
Under the Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1904 and 1907,
the line of frontier between Cambodia and Thai along
the Dongrak Mountains followed justice at the Hague
officially found that the Preah Vihear Temple
situated inside the Cambodia territory.
Location
Preah Vihear Temple is located in a pleasant
environment with an attractive countryside slightly
east of the mid section of the Dongrek Mountains. It
is perched on the edge of a giant cliff, about 625
meters above sea level in Preah Vihear Province,
Northern part of Cambodia, 625km from the capital
city of Phnom Penh. It is also situated close to the
Cambodia-Thai border.
What can seen in Preah Vihear Temple
The
temple has four levels and four courtyards which
comprise of five Gopuras ( entrance pavilions some
times surmounted by tower )
Palace Building or Gopuras on the third level.
This group of building was the King’s residence when
he came to pay homage to the mighty God , and the
two wings were the shelters for the pilgrims. The
main temple are used for the high-ranking supreme
divinities, this mighty group of building is
considered as the center of the whole temple
complex.
The front stone stairway
: this main passage is on the North side. The
stairway is 8 meters wide and 78 meters long,. The
fist flight has 162 steps. At the first landing is a
large stone singa statue on stone block. Another 54
flight of steps 4 meters wide and 27 meters long
leads up to the second landing also decorated with
stone signa statue.
The Nagaraj Courtyard
:
this stone-paved is 7 meters wide by 31.8 meters
long. From here the stairway leads up to the
first-level Gropura. The Stairheads are in the form
of seven-headed snakes called "Ngu Suang " facing
North towards the Prasat. The heads and tails of
nagas on both sides look like ordinary snakes,
characterizing and early example of this type of
animal figures. The head portion of the naga on the
west side looks very impressive because it is made
from a single solid stone.
The first level Gopura
:
this is a pavilion in Greek architecture style with
cross plan on an elevated, rebates angle base on
each of the roof doorway . Stone lions are placed on
each of the roofs dooeway.
Accessibility to the Temple
The
temple can be reached by crossing the Cambodia-Thai
gateway border from the Ubon Ratchantani Province of
Thailand. Currently the visits are from 8.00 till
16.00 hours.
The Grandeur of its site
For
all the grandeur of its site, perched on the edge of
a giant cliff and with a commanding view over
northern Cambodia, Preah Vihear is difficult to
visualize as a whole. The experience is truly a
memorable one – the series of ascents over the best
part of a kilometer, the ornate Gopuras and the
wealth of decorative detail truly staggers one’s
imagination.
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