Phnom Da is located in Prek Ta Phor village, Kok Thalork commune, Angkor Borei district, about 24 kilometers east of Takeo provincial town by water canal or about 102 kilometers south of Phnom Penh by the road. This part of the country is flood six months of the year, during the rainy season, and dry the rest of the year.
Phnom Da is a cultural, historical site that has been renovated to provide visitors a place to relax or research Cambodian history. The scenery is beautiful all year. In the rainy season, there is a vast water basin that produces lush, green rice paddies during the dry season.
Phnom Da temple was built on the top of a small hill in 6th century by King Rutravarman, who reign the Norkor Phnom period, according to the French historian Mibreno. The temple is 12 meters square and 18 meters high. It was constructed of laterite, brick and sandstone. A Brahman temple, it faces north towards Norkor Kok Thalork, which was the capital of Norkor Phnom at the time the temple was built.
The temple's peak is damaged, and a sculpture depicting the story of Churning of the Ocean of Milk has broken into two parts. A lintel illustrates the figure of sleeping Vishun. There are false doors on three sides and a real door that opens on the north side.
In the flank of the hill are five man-made caves that reflect the style of Phnom Da, which is similar to India style. In each cave, there is a Shiva lingam and Uma yoni, objects that Brahmans worship. During the Pol Pot regime, between 1975, the caves were used as cremation places by the Khmer Rouge.
About 300 meters southwest of the temple is another smaller temple known as Asrom Moha Eysei. Built at the end of the 6th century in Zhenia period, during the reign of King Pavavarman I, the temple has five widows and two doors. It is 5.5 meters square and 7 meters high, it's built in the Indian style and features a double wall of basalt that faces north.
In 1992, a number of clergymen and nuns built a pagoda south of the hill. It's called Phnom Da pagoda.
Nearly three decades of war have left the road from Phnom Chiso to Angkor Borei district in poor condition; during the rainy season, flooding makes it impassible. Nevertheless, the site attracts foreign tourists and many Cambodians interested in researching Cambodian histoty during the Koh Kork Thlork Period.
After 1979, the Takeo provincial authority constructed a canal, Canal 15, which links Takeo provincial town to Angkor Borei district. This has made access easier since the road between Angkor Borei and Phnom Da is still difficult to travel, especially during the rainy season, when it floods.
Phnom Da temple was built on the top of a small hill in 6th century by King Rutravarman, who reign the Norkor Phnom period, according to the French historian Mibreno. The temple is 12 meters square and 18 meters high. It was constructed of laterite, brick and sandstone. A Brahman temple, it faces north towards Norkor Kok Thalork, which was the capital of Norkor Phnom at the time the temple was built.
In the flank of the hill are five man-made caves that reflect the style of Phnom Da, which is similar to India style. In each cave, there is a Shiva lingam and Uma yoni, objects that Brahmans worship. During the Pol Pot regime, between 1975, the caves were used as cremation places by the Khmer Rouge.
About 300 meters southwest of the temple is another smaller temple known as Asrom Moha Eysei. Built at the end of the 6th century in Zhenia period, during the reign of King Pavavarman I, the temple has five widows and two doors. It is 5.5 meters square and 7 meters high, it's built in the Indian style and features a double wall of basalt that faces north.
In 1992, a number of clergymen and nuns built a pagoda south of the hill. It's called Phnom Da pagoda.
After 1979, the Takeo provincial authority constructed a canal, Canal 15, which links Takeo provincial town to Angkor Borei district. This has made access easier since the road between Angkor Borei and Phnom Da is still difficult to travel, especially during the rainy season, when it floods.
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