Issue 30 / My Temple-Hopping Adventure In Cambodia

by Hina P. Ansari

My Temple-Hopping Adventure In Cambodia

Jan 03, 2016

I knew Cambodia was drenched in historical riches, but I didn't expect to hear such telling tales about its temples.

When I booked my trip to Cambodia, (it was part of an extensive 14-day trip which also included a fabulous road trip from North to South Vietnam) I really didn’t expect to find what I found. Upon declaring my successful confirmation on Facebook, one of the more common tour tips I received by friends was to ensure that I saw Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom.

Angkor who? I shrugged. But as I do with all of my travels, I let it envelope me, educate me and enlighten me. And so my journey began.

Wat Phnom Daun Penh Temple in Pnom Penh

Her name was Lady Penh, founder of the capital of the country. Folklore dictates that in 1372, while fishing in a local river, Penh found four bronze Buddha statues and a stone of Vishnu tucked away in a Koki branch. She took her revered catch home and immediately instructed her villagers to create a hill northeast of her residence and with Koki wood build a shrine to house the Buddha statues she found as well as a shrine for the Vishnu image. The temple is Wat Phnom Daun Penh (“Phnom” means “hill” and “Daun” means “grandmother”) and it's currently known as “Wat Phnom”.

^{At Wat Phnom Daun Penh Temple.

Photo Credit: Hina P. Ansari}

^{One of many ornate Buddhas inside Wat Phnom Duan Penh Temple.

Photo Credit: Hina P. Ansari}

Approximately 90 feet high, Wat Phnom is a majestic site just a stone’s throw away from the bustling intersection of the city. It's an unexpected serene point in the madness that the country’s biggest metropolis that houses over two million people brings.

And this is where my temple-hopping journey began, with Lady Penh’s blessings.

^{Lady Penh inside Wat Phnom Duan Penh Temple.

Photo Credit: Hina P. Ansari}

The Royal Palace in Pnom Penh

The grand complex of The Royal Palace is a site to be seen. Royal Palaces were erected and destroyed through Cambodia’s tumultuous history dating back to the early 800s. However under the French Protectorate Act of the mid 1800s, the current royal residence (which is completely operational and used as a residence by the current King) was built in 1863.

^{One of the temples on the grounds of The Royal Palace.

Photo Credit: Hina P. Ansari}

Various buildings adorn the plush complex including numerous temples and mausoleums, both boasting the unique blend of design influences from Hinduism and Buddhism ideologies. Historically speaking, these two belief systems often battled it out (literally) by the country’s long line of Kingdoms during the ancient historical years. Now generations (and centuries) have passed with the end result being a beautiful blend of the two spiritual paths, which are fully evident in the various temples that anchor the neighbourhoods across Cambodia.

The regal colours of navy blue, emerald green and gold distinguish the entire Royal Palace. Various goddesses adorn the pointed corners of the rooftops of the buildings. The sharp angles replicate the shape of the arms and hands when in prayer.

^{The ornate detail of one of the buildings in The Royal Palace complex.

Photo Credit: Hina P. Ansari}

^{A common sight throughout Cambodia is seeing a statue of Nagin (snake god) at the entrance of buildings, bridges and walkways in both private and public areas. Here it stands on guard in front of a temple at The Royal Palace.

Photo Credit: Hina P. Ansari}

Angkor Thom’s Bayon Temple in Siem Riep

After a short trip aboard a propeller plane, I landed in Siem Riep where Cambodia’s ancient city of Angkor Thom (which means "Great City") is located.

Established in the late 12^th century by King Jayavarman VII, Angkor Thom was the last capital of the Khmer empire. It spans nine kilometers and includes various monuments preceding the King’s reign as well as those built during his time. The city housed close to 150,000 people.

^{Morning rush at the South Gate of Angkor Thom.

Photo Credit: Hina P. Ansari}

Marked by various entrances, the key entrance to Angkor Thom is the South Gate where much to my delight I was stuck in a traffic jam consisting of elephants, jeeps, cars and pedestrians. The bridge leading up to the entrance is lined with sculptures of 54 Devas (guardian gods) and 54 Asuras (demon guards) protecting Angkor Thom. All are seen pulling the tail of the revered Nagin (snake god) which some would say is in keeping with the revered Hindu story of the Churning Of The Ocean Of Milk.

^{A line of Asuras (demon gods) pulling on the tale of the Nagin to protect Angkor Thom.

Photo Credit: Hina P. Ansari}

^{An overhead view of the gods guarding the South Gate of Angkor Thom.

The total number equals that of the beads found in a round of Buddhist prayer beads.}

^{Photo Credit: Hina P. Ansari}

The central temple is the Bayon, which was positioned as the official temple of the King. Jayavarman built this temple reflecting both Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. Architectural detail of this broad temple is buoyed by the various Buddhist faces that adorn the various columns and walkways of the temple.

^{Bayon Temple in Angkor Thom.

Photo Credit: Hina P. Ansari}

Inside, I am mesmerized by the endless intricate wall sculptures which depicted the every day life of the Khmer people. Mundane activities such as cooking, bathing, hunting (or being hunted) and battle scenes are so delightfully portrayed that it lends itself to the vast mosaic of storytelling that the temple provides.

^{Checking for lice (yes lice!) depicted on the walls of Bayon Temple in Angkor Thom.

Photo Credit: Hina P. Ansari

What's for dinner? According to this depiction it's barbecued fish.

Photo Credit: Hina P. Ansari}

Angkor Wat Temple at Siem Riep

Angkor Wat literally means “City of Temples." Known as the largest religious monument in the world, it spans 163 hectares (just under a square mile) and was built by King Suryavarman II in early 12th century as a temple to honour the God Vishnu.

The name is heavily reliant on its Sanskrit lineage with “nokor” being the vernacular version of “Angkor." Nokor comes from the Sanskrit word “nagara." “Wat” is Khmer for “temple grounds” and is also derived from the Sanskrit word of “vata” which means “enclosure." This alone shows the brilliant blending of both cultures.

^{The majestic Angkor Wat.

Photo Credit: Hina P. Ansari}

^{The walkway leading up to Angkor Wat.

Photo Credit: Hina P. Ansari}

It took approximately 30 years to build this temple and just like the Angkor Thom, it shifted back and forth between Hinduism and Buddhism as places of worship. During Cambodia’s French colonization it was “rediscovered” and revitalization projects ensued. In 1992 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and since then through various co-projects with countries from around the world (currently with Japan), the maintenance of the temple continues to flourish as well as being a bustling tourism magnet.

^{One of the many nooks found in Angkor Wat.

Photo Credit: Hina P. Ansari}

Not only is the temple grand from the outside but when navigating through its maze of walkways, steps and terraces you see, once again, the intricate work of the interior. Similar to Angkor Thom, an elaborate wall sculpture spans all the way around the temple and it depicts the daily lives of the residents of the temple anchored by the magnificent retelling of Vishnu’s various battles.

^{Gods pulling on the tail of the Nagin depicting the Churning Of The Ocean Of Milk.

Photo Credit: Hina P. Ansari}

The prominence of Angkor Wat to Cambodia is evidenced by its depiction on endless souvenirs as well as being prominently displayed in Cambodia’s flag.

Ta Prohm Temple at Angkor Wat

In short, this is the temple where Angelina Jolie filmed her film Laura Croft: Tomb Raider. It’s a huge tourist site and because Angelina adopted her first child, Maddox from Cambodia people love her here.

This temple doesn’t boast the grandiosity that Angkor Wat itself possesses, however the cinematic connection definitely adds to the allure of this specific site.

^{Ta Prohm Temple at Angkor Wat.

Photo Credit: Hina P. Ansari}

What’s most interesting is the way the Banyan trees have erupted and basically wrapped themselves around the temple adding to the mystic vibe. Coincidentally enough, I discovered that this temple is part of a multi-year restoration project that the Cambodian government has with India. Honestly, though, I couldn’t really see any signs of “restoring” per say. However in some way I was glad to see it shine in its natural raw glory.

^{Ta Prohm Temple revitalizing project co-helmed by Cambodia and India.

Photo Credit: Hina P. Ansari}

^{Angelina Jolie as Laura Croft filming on location at Ta Prohm Temple.

Photo Credit: www.jaimelamonde.com}

Cambodia continues to keep me in its spell. Even months after my jaunt there. Among the many places where I’ve marked to revisit, Cambodia is definitely on that list. On a side note: amusing though was that although I haven’t seen Angelina’s film, a quip by another tourist (“Well I guess I need to see this Tomb Raider film now”) made me smile. In addition to discovering such incredible historical and architectural wonders in Cambodia, I’ve added another film to my Netflix list. And that folks, is what I call a win-win situation.

Special thanks to my personal guide Mr. Chanseng in Phnom Penh, and Mr. Phally in Siem Reap and of course Nikki at Indochina Odyssey Tours!

^{Main Image Photo Credit: Hina P. Ansari}

Hina P. Ansari

Author

Hina P. Ansari is a graduate from The University of Western Ontario (London, Ontario). Since then she has carved a successful career in Canada's national fashion-publishing world as the Entertainment/Photo Editor at FLARE Magazine, Canada's national fashion magazine. She was the first South Asian in...