Could the stones of Wat Sithor speak, what tales of kings and ancient Buddhist teachings might they tell? Wat Sithor stands as an important site. It bridges Cambodia’s Middle Ages history with an ancient past from the tenth century.
Wat Sithor is located in Sithor Lech Village. It sits within the Kandal Province, specifically the Khsach Kandal District, and Sithor Commune. The area is also known as Basan. Some speculate that Basan was the site of the Royal Palace. It may have been where King Ponhea Yat lived in the 15th century. He moved the capital from Angkor to Srei Sanchor before settling in Phnom Penh. Others believe the Royal Palace was further north in Srei Santhor.
Now look around at the monastery grounds. You will see a collection of old stupas. One stands prominently on the western side of the pagoda. A smaller one is nearby. Four more are on the east side. Some believe the large stupa on the west holds the remains of a king or his son. Local stories suggest it contains the son of King Sdech Korn. He reigned from 1512 to 1525 AD. This aligns with the stupa of the nearby Wat Meban. The four stupas along the eastern wall are large and ruinous. They are made of brick and overgrown with vegetation.
Let’s step inside the pagoda at Wat Sithor. Here, you can find a stone-carved Buddhapada. Also, look for a stele with inscriptions. These inscriptions are registered under K. 111 and K. 112. They date back to 975 and 980 AD. They tell the story of a Buddhist teacher and traditions of that era.
The French explorer Lunet de Lajonquiere visited here in the early 1900s. He described three pagodas in the area. These were Vat Sithor, Prei Bang, and Yeay Bang. They aligned on a north-south axis. They were raised high on embankments, emerging from marshes filled with lotus and caiman. He attributed the stupas to the tenth century. He based this on the inscriptions he found.
Note that Wat Sithor actually features two pagodas beside each other. A new multi-spired building serves as the monk’s residence. You can see Sema stones of an old style around the newer pagoda. A collection of older semas are gathered on the southern side of the old pagoda.
Wat Sithor is more than just a temple. It is a chronicle etched in stone and brick. It whispers tales of kings and monks. It echoes with the footsteps of explorers. It resonates with the prayers of countless devotees. It is a place where the past and present intertwine. Take a moment to absorb the serene atmosphere here at Wat Sithor. Consider the layers of history beneath your feet.