Here at Vihear Prak Neak stands a testament to faith. It is a monument of cultural significance in Phnom Penh. Vihear means temple and Preah means God.
This Buddhist place of worship has a simple meaning. It translates to God’s Temple. Some might try to make life harder than it is. They may write a whole paragraph just about the name of the temple and still never get to the point.
Now look at the temple’s structure. Vihear Prak Neak is more than just bricks and mortar. It embodies centuries of Khmer architectural styles. The temple’s design is unusual among Khmer temples. It was constructed along a long north-south axis. This is different from the conventional rectangular plan with orientation toward the east.
Imagine the spiritual life during the Khmer Empire. Preah Vihear Temple was a key edifice. Successive kings supported and modified it. This led to the temple bearing elements of several architectural styles.
Consider the temple’s location. It sits atop a cliff in the Dangrek Mountains. These mountains straddle the border between Thailand and Cambodia. The temple has been in both Cambodia and Thailand at different times.
Construction of the first temple on this site started in the early 9th century. Both then and in later centuries, it was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Shiva appeared as the mountain gods Sikharesvara and Bhadresvara.
The oldest parts of the temple that still stand date back to the Koh Ker period. This was in the early 10th century. At that time, the empire’s capital was the city of Koh Ker. You can still see elements of the Banteay Srei style. Most of the temple was built during the reigns of Khmer kings Suryavarman I and Suryavarman II.
An inscription found here gives a detailed account. Suryavarman II studied sacred rituals. He celebrated religious festivals. He gifted white parasols golden bowls and elephants to his spiritual advisor. This advisor was the aged Brahman Divakarapandita. The Brahman also took an interest in the temple. He donated a golden statue of a dancing Shiva.
In modern times Preah Vihear was rediscovered. It became the subject of a dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. In 1962 the International Court of Justice ruled that the temple is in Cambodia.
In 2008 Preah Vihear was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This happened despite protests from Thailand. Cambodia had announced its intention to apply for World Heritage status. Thailand protested. UNESCO deferred debate at its 2007 meeting. Later both Cambodia and Thailand agreed that Preah Vihear Temple had Outstanding Universal Value.
The temple complex runs 800 meters along a north-south axis. It consists of a causeway and steps. These rise up the hill toward the sanctuary. The sanctuary sits on the clifftop at the southern end of the complex. The sanctuary is 120 meters above the northern end. It is 525 meters above the Cambodian plain. The structure serves as a stylised representation of Mount Meru. Mount Meru is the home of the gods.
The approach to the sanctuary is marked by five gopuras. These are numbered from the sanctuary outwards. Gopura five is the first one visitors reach. Each gopura before the courtyards is reached by steps. This marks a change in height. The gopuras block a visitor’s view of the next part of the temple. You cannot see the whole complex from any one point.
The fifth gopura is in the Koh Ker style. It still has traces of red paint. The fourth gopura is from the Khleang Baphuon periods. Its southern outer pediment has a depiction of the Churning of the Sea of Milk. The third gopura is the largest. It is flanked by two halls. The sanctuary is reached via two courtyards. The outer courtyard has two libraries.
Preah Vihear is not just a temple. It is a place of history and beauty. It is a symbol of Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty and significance.