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Wat Phnom |
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វត្តភ្ |
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Set on top of a tree-covered knoll 27m high, Wat Phnom is the
only hill in town. According to legend, the first pagoda on this
site was erected in 1373 to house four statues of Buddha
deposited here by the waters of the Mekong and discovered by a
woman name, Penh. The main entrance to Wat Phnom is via the
grand eastern staircase, which is guarded by lions and naga
(snake) balustrades. Today, many people come here to pray for
good luck and success in school exams or business affairs. When
a petitioner's wish is granted, he or she returns to make the
offering (such as a garland of jasmine flowers or bananas, of
which the spirits are said to be especially fond) promised when
the request was made.
The vihara (temple sanctuary) was
rebuilt in 1434, 1806, 1894, and, most recently, in 1926. West
of the vihara is an enormous stupa containing the ashes of King
Ponhea Vat (reigned 1405 to 1467). In a small pavilion on the
south side of the passage between the vihara and the stupa is a
statue of the smiling and rather plump Madame Penh.A bit to the
north of the vihara and below it is an eclectic shrine dedicated
to the genie Preah Chau, who is especially revered by the
Vietnamese. On either side ofthe entrance to the chamber in
which a statue of Preah Chau sits are guardian spirits bearing
iron bats. On the tile table in front of the two guardian
spirits are drawings of Confucius, and two Chinese-style figures
of the sages Thang Cheng (on the right) and Thang Thay (on the
left). To the left of the central altar is an eight-armed statue
of Vishnu.
Down the hill from the shrine is a royal stupa
sprouting full-size trees from its roof. For now, the roots are
holding the bricks together in their net-like grip, but when the
trees die the tower will slowly crumble. If you can't make it
out to Angkor, this stupa gives a pretty good idea of what the
jungle can do (and is doing) to Cambodia's monuments. Curiously,
Wat Phnom is the only attraction in Phnom Penh that is in danger
of turning into a circus. Beggars, street urchins, women selling
drinks and children selling birds in cages (you pay to set the
bird free locals claim the birds are trained to return to their
cage afterwards) pester everyone who turns up to slog the 27m to
the summit. Fortunately it's all high-spirited stuff, and it's
difficult to be annoyed by the vendors, who after all, are only
trying to eke out a living. trip on this road you will get the
fresh air from the Mekong and Bassac rivers, especially around
the garden in front of the Royal Palace. Furthermore, you will
have the special chance to relax and chat with your lovely
friends at the riverside. And just sit on the benches or walking
through the riverbanks you can absorb the fresh air from the
river and see the whole view of beautiful river, in order to
reduce stress or complicate. |
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Phnom Penh |
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District |
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Phnom Penh |
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Temple |
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GPS : |
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11.57603, 104.92305 |
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EXPLORE
CAMBODIA THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY 
