Preah Vihear Temple
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 naturally 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.
Preah Vihear
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.
What can seen in Preah Vihear Temple
Preah Vihear Temple has four levels and four courtyards which comprise of five Gopuras ( entrance pavilions sometimes 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.
Preah Vihear
The front stone stairway : this main passage is on the North side. The stairway is 8 meters wide and 78 meters long,. The first 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 sigma statue.
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 doorway.
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.
Preah Vihear
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.
Preah Vihear
It is easy for you to fly from Vietnam to Laos/ Cambodia, Thailand, then you catch flight or bus from Laos/ Cambodia, Thailand to this place.
