Phnom Kulen

Phnom Kulen mountain range is located 50km north of Siem Reap town with its highest point is 487m. Its name means “mountain of the lychees”. 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 Jayavarman II proclaimed independence from Java in 802 A.D.

The site 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 carving are etched into the sandstone riverbed. The water 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 laying on his serpent Ananta, with his wife Lakshmi at his feet. A lotus flower protrudes from his navel bearing the god Brahma. The river then end with a waterfall and a pond. The site includes Chup Preah, Terrace of Sdach Kamlung, Chhot Ruot, Peung Chhot, Peung Ey So, Peung Ey Sey, Srah Damrei, Preah Ang Thom a 16th Century Buddhist monastery notable for the giant reclining Buddha & waterfall.

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