PREAH
VIHEAR TEMPLE THE SOUL OF KHMER
The
Preah Vihear Temple is located slightly east of the Dangrek Mountains.
It is perched on the edge of a giant cliff, about 625 meters above
sea level in northern part of Preah Vihear Province, Kingdom of Cambodia,
close to the Thailand border.
History
In the IXth century, Khmer King Yasovarman
I, (889-900) began work on the original Preah Vihear Temple. It was
then a small sanctuary dedicated to Shiva as Sikharesv ara,"Lord
of Summit." Spiritual development, increased political power
and economic growth, which were factors that inspired the Khmer Kings,
were reflected in the architectural style of the temple.
It
took more than 300 years of construction under subsequent Kings Suryavarman
I (1002-1050), Jayavarman VI (1080-1107), and Suryavarmanll (1113-1150)
to complete the various structures that merged into a homogeneous
recreation of the Hindu Universe as a magical home of the gods.
This
naturally changed the original small sanctuary into one of the greatest
Khmer temples of all times. This ranking was achieved as a result
of the finest in situcarvings that depicted the highest standards
of unique Khmer architecture. It can be reached by road from Thailand.
BUDDHISM
Contributed Bring Peace to Cambodia
Buddhism has pervaded Cambodian life for nearly a thousand years religion
was banned and pagodas were neglected Buddhism came to Cambodia with
the first spread of Indian influence that also brought Hindu gods
and culture and prepared the way for the glorious Angkor period when
Khmer culture and power dominated Southeast Asia.
The
earliest Buddhist status found in the ruins of ancient Cambodian temples
date from the 2nd century. Many of the splendid stone Buddha on view
today in the National Museum in Phnom Penh were taken from the ruins
of 5th century temples. Around the country are 3,371 pagodas, including
some 90 in Phnom Penh. Buddhism suffuses the life of must Cambodians
with spiritual meaning and hope.
The
great Jayavarman in the 12th century, a student of Buddhism from childhood,
Jayavarman Vll made it the dominant religion, building temples, roads,
hospitals, and other public works to ease the suffering of the people
a central Buddhist idea, to do good for suffering humanity.
APSARA
DANCE
It is one of two major forms of Khmer
dancing, and incorporates parts of the other, much-older traditional
or popular dancing, which has its roots in animism and primitive magic,
with Hindu forms introduced beginning in the 1st century. Classical
dance took on its own unique form, adding movements and meaning, during
the reigns of King Jayavarman ll to Vll.
At
the joyful, almost wanton dancer whose images are everywhere. The
graceful movements of the Apsara dancers, adorned with gold headdresses
and silken tunics and skirts, are carved on the walls of many of the
temples at Angkor. Estimates are that there were 3,000 Apsara dancers
in the 12th century court of King Jayavarman Vll.
Over
the centuries Khmer dancing lent its influence to the classical ballet
of neighboring countries, and some of its postures and movements are
similar to other Southeast Asian dance forms.
But
the Khmer kingdom started its traditions in the 8th century. Apsara
dancing is one of two elements of classical ballet, There are four
typical roles of Khmer dance: male, female, giant and monkey, the
first three being the domain of women and girls, leaving the monkey
roles to the men. In the early days, it is believed that all dancers
were female.
Most
of the dancers in the Royal Dance Troupe today are female. Dancing
holds great significance for the Khmer people, and the government
considers the Royal Ballet in particular to be a national treasure.