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This is Bakong. It’s a part of the Roulous Group of Temples from the 9th Century. This temple is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. Shiva is also known as the Destroyer. Not as terrible as it sounds. At the endo of each cycle of life in Hindu mythology, Shiva destroys the earth so that Vishnu can renew it and bring new life to the earth.

It is a magnificent temple.  It must have been something to behold in the days of Kind Indravarman II.

Bakong was the first pyramid temple or temple mountain in Cambodia. In the Hindu tradition, there are five levels to the temple representing the the five cosmic levels of Mount Meru–people, birds and animals, superhumans and brahmins, the Gods and Mount Meru.  It is also the first temple to incorporate Naga into it’s bridge entrance.

There is a working Buddhist monastery on this site now. The Monks were all pretty nice. Smiling at us and waving.