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PRASAT PREAH VIHEAR
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. This ranking was the
result of the finest in situ carving that depicted the highest standards of
unique Khmer architecture.
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.
Location
 Preah
Vihear Temple is located in a pleasant environment with an attractive
countryside slightly east of the mid section of the Dongrek Mountains. It is
perched on the edge of a giant cliff, about 625 meters above sea level in
Preah Vihear Province, Northern part of Cambodia, 625km from the capital
city of Phnom Penh. It is also situated close to the Cambodia-Thai border.
What can seen in Preah Vihear Temple
The temple has four levels and four courtyards which comprise of five
Gopuras ( entrance pavilions some times 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.
The front stone stairway : this main
passage is on the North side. The stairway is 8 meters wide and 78 meters
long,. The fist 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 signa
statue.
The Nagaraj Courtyard : this stone-paved
is 7 meters wide by 31.8 meters long. From here the stairway leads up to the
first-level Gropura. The Stairheads are in the form of seven-headed snakes
called "Ngu Suang " facing North towards the Prasat. The heads and tails of
nagas on both sides look like ordinary snakes, characterizing and early
example of this type of animal figures. The head portion of the naga on the
west side looks very impressive because it is made from a single solid
stone.
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 dooeway.
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.
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.
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