A stone staircase surrounded by dense jungle.

About this experience

Preah Vihear

Cambodia

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English ខ្មែរ

Published: 2024 (v1)

Story outline

  • Restoring a Staircase to the Gods

    Welcome to Preah Vihear, a grand temple in northern Cambodia. Constructed by the Kings of Angkor during the Khmer empire, it is a testament of devotion to Hindu deities. Today, historic efforts are underway to restore and preserve the northern staircase of this sacred site​, safeguarding its legacy for future generations. The northern staircase is located north of Gopura V, measuring 111 m long, 11 m wide, and 40 m high, with 26 sections and many lion sculptures on the stair walls. The staircase was damaged seriously by aging, rainwater, tree roots, and insects. Therefore, the conservation and restoration of the northern staircase is challenging.

  • Stop 1. Atop the Mountain

    The mountaintop sanctuary of Preah Vihear stands as a religious symbol, echoing the revered Mount Meru of Hindu, and Buddhist cosmology. In these traditions, Mount Meru is hailed as the axis mundi, the cosmic center around which all physical, metaphysical, and spiritual realms revolve. With design and strategic placement, the temple of Preah Vihear mirrors this sacred mountain, embodying the heavenly order and serving as a conduit between the earthly and divine realms.

  • Stop 2. Guardians of the Temple

    Throughout history, Preah Vihear has served various roles and purposes. Initially constructed as a place of Religious Worship dedicated to the Hindu pantheon, it hosted ceremonies, rituals, and royal consecrations. It also functioned as a Cultural and Social Center, a focal point for community gatherings, education, and artistic activities. These key functions highlight Preah Vihear's significance as a nexus of spiritual, cultural, and social life across different periods of history.

  • Stop 3. Restoration Today

    Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed of sand-sized grains of mineral, rock, or organic material, cemented together by minerals like silica, calcium carbonate, or iron oxide. Water can wear away sandstone through a process known as erosion, which involves the mechanical and chemical breakdown of the rock over time. Abrasion, Hydraulic Action, Solution and Leaching, and Transportation are all various ways in which heavy rain seasons contribute to the wearing away of the Staircase.

  • Stop 4. Naga and Nature

    In Hindu mythology, Devas (celestial beings) and Asuras (demons) once fought to churn the ocean of milk to obtain the elixir of immortality. They used Vasuki, the king of Naga serpents, as the rope to churn the ocean. As the process continued, the deadly poison emerged from the depths of the ocean and threatened to destroy all of creation. In desperation, the Devas and Asuras sought help from Vishnu, who drank the poison to save the world. The role of Vasuki, the Naga, highlights the central role of Nagas in Hindu cosmology, the pull between good and evil, and the cyclical nature of creation and destruction.

  • Stop 5. International Collaboration

    U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) provides grants for the preservation of cultural heritage around the world. The fund supports a wide range of projects, including the restoration of historic buildings, archaeological sites, museum collections, more. The efforts between the US and Cambodia are a perfect example of the importance of collaborative endeavors to preserve Cultural Heritage for future generations.

Voices

  • A portrait of a woman with long brown hair and dark eyes, wearing dark framed glasses.

    Amparo Garcia

    US Embassy at Phonm Penh

    Cultural Affairs Officer
  • A portrait of a man set against a backdrop of a construction site in the jungle

    Dr. Ea Darith

    National Authority for Preah Vihear

    Director of the Department of Conservation and Archaeology
  • A portrait of a man in a hardhat set against a backdrop of a construction site

    Thim Mengly

    National Authority for Preah Vihear

    Engineer with the Department of Conservation and Archaeology
  • A portrait of a man set against a backdrop of a jungle

    Ol Sam An

    National Authority for Preah Vihear

    Archaeologist with the Department of Conservation and Archaeology
  • A portrait of a woman set against a backdrop of a jungle

    Soreimeas Norn

    U.S. Embassy at Phnom Penh

    Program Management Specialist with the Public Affairs Section (PAS) at the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh

Partners

About the Project

In 2023, CyArk traveled to document the international reconstruction efforts at Preah Vihear, in northern Cambodia. This ancient Temple Complex was once a spiritual center for Hindu worship built during the reign of the Khmer Empire in the 9th Century. The temple is a grand causeway comprised of towering Gopura entryways connected with ornate sandstone carvings. Today, this mountain top UNESCO World Heritage site is the focus of monumental restoration efforts by the National Authority for Preah Vihear, who are working tirelessly to ensure this sacred place and its legacy are preserved and protected for future generations.

Related Links

Credits

This project was completed as part of the Community Heritage Exchange Initiative with support from the Bureau of Education, the Cultural Affairs at the U.S. State Department, and the US Embassy in Phnom Penh. A special thanks to Amparo Garcia and Sorimeas Norn. The 3D data and interviews collected as part of this online tour were collected by staff and students from Phare Ponleu Selpak Visual and Applied Arts School in Battambang, Cambodia. A special thank you to Osman Khawaja, Chea Dara, Soeurt Daim, Ra Monyliza, Aev Mary, Chy Leapheng, and Lim Sreyneath. This project would not have been possible without the support from the National Authority for Preah Vihear. A special thank you to Director General Kong Puthikar, Dr. Ea Darith, Oh Sman, and Thim Mengley.

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