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Where It's At
Before Angkor became the focal point of power in the ninth
century, two political factions ruled Cambodia, according
to Chinese records: the Funan in the South and the
Chenla in the North. The southern Funan Dynasty
thrived from the first to the beginning of the seventh
century and centred their political activities around the
city of Angkor Borei, 50 miles south of Phnom Penh.
Religion, as well as politics, played an important part in
the lives of the Indianized Funan and numerous Hindu inspired
temples were built throughout this water-laced region of the
upper Mekong Delta. One of the last religious temples
to be built, around the mid-sixth century, was Phnom Da,
set atop the capital's neighbouring hill of Da. During
the wet season, this hill transformed into an island, only
accessible by boat, and represented the centre of the Hindu
world - the Hill of Meru. Thousands of royal inscriptions,
bas-relief and Hindu gods were carved into the warm-toned
laterite tower of the temple, which still remain visible,
allowing their stories to be told today.
History
Cambodian folklore provides a much more romantic explanation
for the creation of Phnom Da temple. An ancient king, who
took the throne of Bassac, had the most beautiful daughter,
Princess Ak Or. Despite her royal status, she fell
in love with a simple man and was shamed from the royal household.
The King sent her and her peasant love in a boat down river,
never to return to the kingdom.
After many days of endless floating, accompanied by the fear
of dying in the big sea, the boat ran ashore on the hill of
Borei. Here the Princess and her love were saved and
left to make their home. Every night the Princess would pray
that she could somehow find riches in this new land for her
and her husband. One night, an honest man appeared in her
dream and told her she would control all the riches of the
land. Soon after, her common husband unknowingly found precious
aloe-scented wood and gold within the forests. Ships began
to stop at the island to trade for the precious goods and
a bustling, productive city was quickly built to support this
newfound industry. This city would grow to become the capital
of Angkor Borei.
To thank the honest man for his foresight and blessing, Princess
Ak Or had a temple built on the nearby hill so that they could
show thanks everyday for their good fortune and remember what
they had overcome through love. |
