Seven heavens. That’s what Phnom Bakheng represents. Seven tiers reaching for the sky. A pyramid of stone a monument to King Yasovarman I. He built Phnom Bakheng more than two hundred years before Angkor Wat. It was his greatest achievement. The centerpiece of his new capital Yasodharapura.
Phnom Bakheng wasn’t just any temple. It was a temple mountain. A sacred space dedicated to Shiva. But later it became a Buddhist temple too. Imagine a colossal sitting Buddha on the upper tier. Gone now. Only outlines of a reclining Buddha remain.
Originally 108 towers surrounded the temple. They symbolized the four lunar phases. Most have crumbled. Only a fraction remain today. Yet the essence of Phnom Bakheng endures. It stands as a testament to Khmer artistry. Intricate carvings. Guardian statues. Inscriptions whispering secrets of the past.
Phnom Bakheng is more than just history. It’s a vantage point. A place to watch the sun dip below the horizon. To see Angkor Wat bathed in the golden light of sunset. But be warned. The view is breathtaking. It’s also incredibly popular. Thousands of people come every day.
The World Monuments Fund is working to preserve this threatened temple. Tourism is taking its toll. Phnom Bakheng needs our help. To protect this masterpiece for future generations. It’s a race against time. A reminder of the fragility of history. And the importance of careful preservation.
Lara Croft herself used Phnom Bakheng as a backdrop. The Tomb Raider movie. She used binoculars to survey the Angkor region from the top. The views are as stunning to the north towards Angkor Thom as they are to the southeast towards Angkor Wat.
Even today the mountain itself is impressive. The winding path leading up. The steep steps to the summit. A journey in itself. The top offers panoramic views. West Baray reservoir stretches to the east. Angkor Thom to the north. A view from the ancient past. A spectacle of natural and man-made beauty.