PHNOM BAKHENG
If Phnom Bakeng is of major importance for the history of the region, this temple dedicated to Shiva has not stood up well to time and human madness. This is the first temple in the first capital to be built on the Angkor site. King Yasovarman I ordered the construction of this mountain temple on what would later become the heart of the Khmer Empire. By transporting the royal linga, a phallic and all-solid gold emblem that was a symbol of the king in its divine aspect, he consecrated it as the capital of his kingdom. Thus the Khmer dynasties moved from the Roulos, the seat of the previous monarchs. This natural sandstone temple-mountain is actually a hill whose summit has been carved into five tiers, each with 12 sandstone sanctuaries. Around the pyramid, 44 sanctuary towers (unfortunately almost all destroyed) are scattered in groups of two to four on common basements. To his great misfortune, the view of the jungle and the Angkor Thom tower is breathtaking. It is customary to go there to admire the sunset, but this time it is definitely the crowd and it really damages the impression that we would like to experience on the site. So go and see the sunset in Pré Rup or in the Eastern Mebon, you will find yourself better off.... The best is to go down to Phnom Krom, which houses a temple of the same style as Phnom Bakheng, but which has the advantage of dominating Lake Tonle Sap. It is simply wonderful and will also delight bird lovers.
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