Phnom Bakheng Temple Siem Reap Cambodia
Phnom Bakheng Temple: east stairway
Phnom Bakheng Temple or Prasat Phnom Bakheng is one of the state temples in Angkor era. Nowadays Phnom Bakheng attracts more and more visitors by its best views of sunset on Phnom Bakheng onto Angkor area, especially the ancient Khmer reservoir , Baray Teuk Thla. Phnom Bakheng locates between Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, about 1300 m north of Angkor Wat and 400 m south of Angkor Thom.
The date of construction of Phnom Bakheng temple in Siem Reap is in late 9th century to beginning of 10th century by King Yasovarman I (889-915), son of Indravarman I (877-886), reigned after his father at Hariharalaya (present day Roluos area). Soon after his crowning ceremony, the capital city of Khmer Empire was moved to 13 km northwest of Hariharalaya. At there a new capital has been built and named as Yasodharapura, which is commonly known as Angkor, and Phnom Bakheng Temple was built as the state temple in the middle of his new capital city in 893 AD. The temple is dedicated to Shiva by housing a linga named Yasodharesvara in the central sanctuary in about 907 AD, before the construction is completed. Phnom Bakheng was abandoned after 928, until 968 it was rehabilitated by King Jayavarman V.
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Khmer Legend – The Two Neighbours
All the nations in the world have their own legend stories, the stories that were created and told from generation to generation. Some stories are attached with the teaching purpose of how to be a good person living in this world. Khmer also has many legends of this kind, and the elders always tell their youngsters from time to time. Below is one of the Khmer legends that also consist the teaching meaning.
There were two men living next to each other. One day, they had a date to lay trap for animal in the forest together. Until late afternoon that day, they started their journey. Continue reading
Weekend Getaway Site Near Phnom Penh – Suon Soben
Suon Soben: pond and floating huts around it as the places for visitors to have foods and relax.
Last holiday, my family and I have visted Suon Soben, a weekend getaway site near Phnom Penh. It’s a pleasure and relax site with natural environment in which I would like to share here.
Suon Soben means ‘the dream park’, locates in Prek Eng commune, Kien Svay district, Kandal province. Travel from Phnom Penh, after crossed the Preah Monivong bridge (Chbal Ampov bridge), we are on the national road no.1. About 19 km later, there is a road at the right side, it’s Tiger road (the road leading to Tiger Beer Factory), go on for about 3 km, we’ll reach the site.
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Banteay Srei – The Citadel of The Beauty
Prasat Banteay Srei
Banteay Srei, a tenth century temple locates about 25 km north of Angkor. Banteay Srei is different from other temples in Angkor area, it’s a unique temple which almost become every visitor’s favorite site. The special attraction of Banteay Srei is the excellent intricate decoration carved in the pinkish sandstone. The charm of Banteay Srei made it become a precious gem and a jewel in Khmer art in which the sandstone relief carvings are among the finest in Khmer art, in invention, richness and execution. Visiting Banteay Srei when the morning sun shines on the temple and its carvings on the pinkish sandstone, is a heavenly beauty.
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Khmer Lunar Calendar 2012
Cambodian has our own calendar system since the ancient time. During Angkor era, Khmer used the lunisolar calendar which the first month of the year is Mekasay (មិគសិរ) that falls between mid December to beginning of January. And the new year days was celebrated in Mekasay.
However, after the Angkor period, Cambodians use both lunisolar and solar calendar. And the current new year date was determined based on solar calendar, it’s started in the month of Chaet (ចេត្រ) which is the fifth month of lunisolar calendar.
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Elephant Terrace
Elephant is an important animal in the ancient time of Khmer. It’s the mount of the highest figure in the country, the King. Elephants are ridden by commanders and joined their masters in war. They are also used as a vehicle to transport some heavy materials.
Elephant Terrace is the long terrace locates in Angkor Thom, north of Bayon temple. The terrace starts from the first entrance gopura of Baphuon temple, it runs for 300 m in length from south to north, and end at the Leper King Terrace. The west side of the terrace is aligned with the east wall of the Royal Palace.
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Ambok – Khmer Flatten Rice
Ambok : a kind of snack made of paddy rice grains. At the time of taking this picture, ambok is almost sold out.
Ambok is pounded rice (by the action of making it) or flatten rice (by the shape of it) that is a kind of Khmer snack made from paddy rice. Ambok is a main offering of moon praying ceremony on the full moon day of the 12th Lunar month. During this period of time is the harvest time of paddy rice in Cambodia. The new harvested paddy rice grains are well suited for making delicious ambok. Ambok is only available one week before the full moon praying ceremony day and about one month after the ceremony.
At the first time seeing ambok, one might not know that it’s made of paddy rice grain. So have you ever wondered how ambok been made?