Phnom Kulen

Phnom Kulen

Phnom Kulen appears as a long, continuous silhouette in the background
Highest point
Elevation 487 m (1,598 ft)
Coordinates 13°36′46″N 104°06′45″E / 13.61278°N 104.11250°E / 13.61278; 104.11250Coordinates: 13°36′46″N 104°06′45″E / 13.61278°N 104.11250°E / 13.61278; 104.11250
Geography
Phnom Kulen

Location of Phnom Kulen in Cambodia

Location Cambodia
Geology
Mountain type sandstone
Climbing
Easiest route Drive

Phnom Kulen, also romanized as (Phnom Koulen, Phnum Kulén or Koulen Mountain) (Khmer: ភ្នំគូលេន, meaning "Mountain of Lychees") is a mountain range in Siem Reap Province, Cambodia.

Geography

Rather than a hill range, Phnom Kulen is an isolated chain of small mountain plateaux of moderate height lying south of the Dângrêk Mountains. The range stretches for about 40 km in a WNW - ESE direction and is located some 48 km north of Siem Reap.

Its highest point is 487 m and its height is quite regular, averaging 400 m all along the range.

Geologically Phnom Kulen is formed of sandstone. It was important as a quarry in Angkorian times, the major quarries being located in the southeastern angle of the massif.[1]

Protected area

There is a sanctuary in the area, Phnom Kulen National Park, straddling the districts of Svay Len and Va Rin. Its purpose is recreational and scientific in order to preserve the natural scenic features of Phnom Kulen mountain, like some famous waterfalls.

The park is located about 48 km to the north of the provincial town of Siem Reap.

World Heritage Status

This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on September 1, 1992 in the Cultural category.[2]

Description

Waterfall at Phnom Kulen.

The Phnom Kulen mountain range is located 30 km northwards from Angkor Wat. Its name means "mountain of the lychees".[3] There is a sacred hilltop site on top of the range.

Phnom Kulen is considered a holy mountain in Cambodia, of special religious significance to Hindus and Buddhists who come to the mountain in pilgrimage.

It also has a major symbolic importance for Cambodians as the birthplace of the ancient Khmer Empire, for it was at Phnom Kulen that King Jayavarma II proclaimed independence from Java in 804 CE. Jayavarman II initiated the Devaraja cult of the king,[4]:99–101 a linga cult, in what is dated as 804 CE and declaring his independence from Java of whom the Khmer had been a vassalage state (whether this is actually "Java", the Khmer chvea used to describe Champa, or "Lava" (a Lao kingdom) is debated, as well as the legend that he was earlier held as a ransom of the kingdom in Java. See Higham's The Civilization of Angkor for more information about the debate).[5] During the Angkorian era the relief was known as Mahendraparvata (the mountain of Great Indra).[6]

Kbal Spean is known for its carvings representing fertility and its waters which hold special significance to Hindus. Just 5 cm under the water's surface over 1000 small linga carvings are etched into the sandstone riverbed. The waters are regarded as holy, given that Jayavarman II chose to bathe in the river, and had the river diverted so that the stone bed could be carved. Carvings include a stone representation of the Hindu god Vishnu lying on his serpent Ananta, with his wife Lakshmi at his feet.[7] A lotus flower protrudes from his navel bearing the god Brahma. The river then ends with a waterfall and a pool.

Near these mountains is Preah Ang Thom, a 16th-century Buddhist monastery notable for the giant reclining Buddha, the country's largest.[7]

The Samré tribe was formerly living at the edge of Phnom Kulen, quarrying sandstone and transporting it to the royal sites.[8]

The Khmer Rouge used the location as a final stronghold as their regime came to an end in 1979.

Sights

Chup Preah is a stream flowing into the mountain’s valley. Ku Len Mountain has two waterfalls. The first is between four and five metres high and 20 to 25 metres wide. The second waterfall is 15 to 20 metres high and 10 to 15 metres wide. These sizes apply to the dry and rainy seasons.

Preah Ang Thom houses a large statue of Buddha. It was built in the 16th century and is eight metres high. Preah Ang Thom is the sacred and worshipping god for Ku Len Mountain. There are also two large Cham Pa trees nearby. Besides Preah Ang Thom, Chhok Ruot, footprints of Preah Bat Choan Tuk, Peung Chhok, Peung Ey So and Peung Ey Sey, can also be seen.

The Linga is along the river of Siem Reap and has a lot of figures of Yoni and Linga spreading out at the bottom of the river.

The Terrace of Sdach Kum Ling has a small brick-built ruined temple in its centre. It was covered by lava for hundreds of years.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Etienne Aymonier, Le Cambodge. Ernest Leroux, Paris 1904.
  2. ↑ Site des Kulen - UNESCO World Heritage Centre
  3. ↑ Rooney, 2005, pp.264-265
  4. ↑ Coedès, George (1968). Walter F. Vella, ed. The Indianized States of Southeast Asia. trans.Susan Brown Cowing. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 978-0-8248-0368-1.
  5. ↑ Higham, Charles (2002). Civilizations of Angkor. University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-23442-1.
  6. ↑ Higham, 2001: pp.54-59
  7. 1 2 Friess, Steve (April 29, 2002). "Beyond, Literally, Angkor Wat". Time Magazine. Retrieved October 5, 2008.
  8. ↑ Les Tribus du Cambodge

Bibliography

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