An intricate entrance gate at Preah Vihear

In the north of Cambodia, on the mountain range bordering the Kingdom in the north, lays the levelled temple complex of Preah Vihear.

The details in the ornamentation on this temple is stunning. This gate to one of the four gopuras at this temple is an example.

The temple of Preah Vihear is dedicated to the god Shiva. The top lintel is often dedicated to showing symbols and rites connected to Shiva, but in almost equal amount to Vishnu.
It tells about the details in the religious practice over the 250 years the Angkor Empire built this temple complex.

The doors “enfilade”/side areas are rich with scenes from Khmer, Veda and Hindu mythology – like churning of the sea of milk, Khrishna Govardhan.

There are several compositions that is repeating in different variations at Preah Vihear. One example is built around a central motif, almost always a head of kala or lion, which develops into a symmetrical decoration.

Cambodian World Cultural Heritage
The name "Preah Vihear" comes from the Khmer words "Preah" (sacred) and "Vihear" (abode or shrine). The temple is also sometimes referred to as "Phnom Preah Vihear" (mountain of Preah Vihear).

The large temple complex was built over a period of 250 year, starting over one thousand years ago. Several god kings of the Khmer Empire added to the buildings and site details.

Preah Vihear has been a Cambodian World Cultural Heritage site for nearly twenty years.

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1224/

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Morning at the West terrace and docks of the East Baray

The East Baray was a water reservoir built early in the Khmer Empire after the relocation of the capital to modern day Angkor Thom.

Today Yasodharatataka, East Baray in Khmer, is a dried-out water basin. It is mostly taken over by the jungle but with some rice paddocks and vegetable and fruit farming.

Slightly smaller than the still existing and large man-made construction West Baray, East Baray was 2 km wide and 7 km long. With a depth of 3 meter, it contained 50 million cubic meters of water.
East Baray is due east of Victory gate and the Elephant terrace in front of the Royal Palace of Angkor Thom. The docks and terrace on the West side is the remains of the important entrance to the west, close to the core area of the Khmer Imperial Capital. Its importance can be traced by the complexity of the docs, and the lion guards and statue remain. It is placed well into the jungle, and not very often visited. Fresh excavations are being done on a hospital temple nearby.

This photo is taken at nearing the end of the peak of green season, when the sun getting stronger and the wet spell are fewer. The green season in visible in how green vegetation and moss are covering and highlighting the remains of buildings, stairs and docks. The area in between is more neutral.

For most visitors, photogs or not, some downpours are good when visiting an area filled with natural and cultural marvels like the Angkor Park:

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/cambodia/temples-of-angkor/attractions/eastern-baray/a/poi-sig/1571818/1002179

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Greenlight the best time to visit Cambodia

Sometimes it is nice enjoying the rain cleaning up the air and colours in Angkor Thom. Sitting in a comfortable shelter with other visitors and staff is a sociable affair, too.

Green season in Cambodia starts in June/July and reaches its peak in September/October. Planning to visit during the summer in Europe, or when the Autumn is at its darkest and coldest in the northern hemisphere, those are the best time to enjoy Cambodia.

And to visit the architecture and art from the ancient Khmer empire.

The afternoon rainfalls are short, and they freshest the air and cools down the temperature. And they make everything grow healthy green. Including shrouding the ancient temples and imperial sites in green, softening the outline and enhancing the contrasts.

Making the photography conditions are excellent, the temperature is awesome, the crowds are small, and the cost of food, drinks and accommodation are as pleasant as ever.

For those who enjoys other senses as much, they can look forward to the fresh scent after a shower has cleaned the air, and the fragrance of green nature in it growing season. And the aroma of delicious food made from fresh vegetables and fruit. The sound of birds and insects wakening after a fresh spell is part of natural wonder. And the sound of different sort of monsoon is something to ponder.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2024/01/01/embracing-the-rain-visiting-angkor-park/

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A couple of shots from… well you can probably guess.

#photography #travel #cambodia #angkor #explore #jungle #history #angkorwat