The Kulen Mountain or Phnom Kulen is declared as a
National Park. It is an isolated mountain massif located in Svay Leu
District and some 48km from Siem Reap. Its highest point is 487 meters.
This is widely regarded as the birhplace of the
ancient Khmer Empire. During the construtional period of the ancient
temples in the nineth century, sand stones were brought from this sacred
mountain to Angkor. It was here at Phnom Kulen tath King Jayavarman II
proclaimed independece from Java in 802 A.D.
The site is known for its carvvings representing
fertility and its waters hold special significance to the people of
Cambodia. Just a few inches under the surface of the water, over 1000
carvings of Yoni and Linga are etched into the sandstone riverbed. The
waters are regarded as holy, given the sacred carvings which also
include a sone represenation of the Hindu god Vishnu lying on his
serpent Ananta, with his wife Lakshmi at his feet. A lotus flower
protruded from Vishnu's navel bearing the god Brahma, Theriver then ends
with a beautiful waterfall. Phnom Kulen is regarded highly by Cambodian
people as a sacred location and has deverloped into a great tour
destination.
Picture Courtesy: destination asia
Text Courtesy: comcam.asia
