Cambodia - Phnom Kulen

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Buy wall art, prints, mugs, jigsaw puzzles & other products using Phnom Kulen Mountain Shrine Kulen Mountain

During Angkorian era the relief was known as Mahendraparvata (the mountain of Great Indra) and was the place where Jayavarman II had himself declared chakravartin (King of Kings), an act which is considered the foundation of Khmer Empire The mountain is the site from which most of the sandstone was quarried to make the temples of Angkor Wat. When driving up the long, dusty 1 1/2 lane road try to imagine the will and energy needed to create these works.

The cultural diversity of this site is amazing -- crowned by a small pagoda housing the reclining Buddha, you first hike up a series of steps. Along the way are locals, Japanese, Chinese and other Buddhists. When we visited there was a special ablution ceremony by visiting Indians at the large lingam and yoni. You can have your fortune told, seek counsel from a monk or just imbibe the atmosphere. Shops along the way sell the usual trinkets, but also herbal medicines and a large variety of fresh fruits, fried fish,chickens, sticky rice in bamboo staves. Try a milk apple - smooth taste similar to custard apples, but with only 1 pit. Fried bananas, small waffles and other treats are also available

Preah Ang Thom is an 8 meter tall statue of the reclining Buddha reaching nirvana. The statue is carved into a th very top of a huge sandstone boulder. Preah Ang