Lmst

#apsara

Modern colourful Lolei pagoda

The original, classic Khmer temple Prasat Lolei was placed on an island in an artificial water basin. It was the royal family temple in Hariharalaya. That was the last capital outside what we now recognise as the core Angkor Archaeological Park area around Angkor Thom north of Siem Reap.

The water is gone, but the four old temple towers are still there. Around the old temple grounds, a modern Buddhist monastery was built and still operating.

A modern Wat and Temple
The monks here were quite interested in talking to visitors, seeking information and some of them loved to practice their English. And some German too, come to that.

This photo is from inside the modern Buddhist temple, which is among the heaviest colourful temples I have seen in the Siem Reap area. But it is also very open to the sun light, making it a place of worship filled with light and colours.

I like religious buildings with this sort of character.

Under a hundred meter away, the 1100 years older holy towers connect the old and new continuous cultural history and heritage of Cambodia.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2024/10/10/prasat-lolei/

#2018CE #893CE #ancient #Angkor #angkorwat #apsara #ApsaraAuthority #architecture #archive #art #Asia #ប្រាសាទលលៃរលួស #biking #bikingintheAngkorWonderland #biking #adventures #bluesky #Buddhism #Cambodia #citylife #countryside #daytrip #Empire #greentourism #Hariharalaya #Hinduism #history #imperial #Kampuchea #khmer #khmercapital #leaveonlyfootprints #lolei #Temple #Pagoda #prasatlolei #roadtrip #roluosgroup #Roluos #siemreap #southeastasia #takeonlyphotos #temple #travel #visitcambodia #visitsiemreap #wat #worldculturalheritage #yasovarman #leperking #Bakong #Loleimonastery #Nikkor #Nikon #oldangkor #nationalroad6 #kingdomofwonder

Photo shows a very colourful inside of a Buddhist Pagoda at Lolei in Roluos Group, Siem Reap. Strong red, yellow, orange and gold colours illustrates the pillars, walls and the central altar with a Buddha sculpture. The roof is painted with blue colours with motives collected from stories of the Buddhas life and the supporting figures. Cambodia is as safe, comfortable and kind as ever. Angkor and Siem Reap welcomes visitors. Enjoy your visit to the Kingdom of Wonder.

Royal honour to the grandparents

Prasat Lolei, ប្រាសាទលលៃ, is the northernmost temple in the old capital of the Khmer empire Hariharalaya. Finished in 893CE, the temple group of four towers was dedicated to Shiva and to members of the royal family by king Yasovarman I.

The two tall brick temple towers were built in honour of the king’s grandparents. The two lower towers were for his parents. King Yasovarman I was not a big fan of his father’s plans of succession. He ended up making his own succession line and legitimized right to the throne via his grandmother’s family.

Last larger Hindu temple built in Hariharalaya
It was originally a temple on an island in a now dried out water reservoir called Indratataka Baray. This was the first Baray of many built by the imperial god kings of Angkor. A temple on an island surrounded by water is probably meant to symbolise Mount Meru, home of the gods in the Hindu pantheon.

Back then it was an Ashram nearby, today there is a modern pagoda and a monastery surrounding the classic site. The interior of the modern pagoda is worth a closer look.

This was the last large temple build by the god kings in Hariharalaya. Yasovarman I later moved the capital to Yaśodharapura centred around Phnom Bakheng, near Angkor Thom/Nokor Thom as it is known today.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2021/04/06/the-modern-prasat-lolei-a-colorful-cultural/

#2022CE #893CE #ancient #Angkor #angkorwat #apsara #ApsaraAuthority #architecture #archive #art #Asia #ប្រាសាទលលៃរលួស #biking #bikingintheAngkorWonderland #biking #adventures #bluesky #Buddhism #Cambodia #citylife #countryside #daytrip #Empire #greentourism #Hariharalaya #Hinduism #history #imperial #Kampuchea #khmer #khmercapital #leaveonlyfootprints #lolei #Temple #Pagoda #prasatlolei #roadtrip #roluosgroup #Roluos #siemreap #southeastasia #takeonlyphotos #temple #travel #visitcambodia #visitsiemreap #wat #worldculturalheritage #yasovarman #leperking

Photo shows the side of two brick temple towers in early Khmer style. The one closest to the camera is restored with wall arts and stone details of high quality, but still with some darker details and stone near the top. The dancing apsaras reliefs are visible, but the one closest is mostly a green-grey outline. Its neighbour tower is more completely renovated, and the red bricks on the top is clean red. It is early on a sunny day with slightly overcast blue sky. The morning sun gives the towers a warm yellow-red glow. In the background there are some distant green treetops contrasting the reddish towers. Cambodia is as safe, comfortable and kind as ever. Angkor and Siem Reap welcomes visitors. Enjoy your visit to the Kingdom of Wonder.

The reclining lord Buddha

The temple complex Preah Ang Thom is worth a trip to Phnom Kulen/Kulen Mountains in itself. But a large experience within Ang Thom is the 8 meter long statue of a reclining Buddha.

It is the largest in Cambodia and among the 20 largest reclining Buddha-status in Asia. It rests on top of a sandstone formation, and the statue is carved out as part of that sandstone.

Meaning someone saw the Lord Buddha in the stone and carved until he was set free. The classics motivation in art works in any human civilisation.

A holy area
The surrounding Preah Ang Thom temple was built after the Buddha was carved. Getting to this site is easy by car from Siem Reap, and the area carries a lot of other excursion worthy sites.
This includes walking trails for the day trip trekker, a river with a thousand lingam carvings and holy waterfall. The conglomerate of holy sites on the Kulen Mountain was proposed as an official World Cultural Heritage site by Cambodia just when the pandemic started.

An approval of this request seems like a proper next step. This is the national mountains and cradle of Khmer imperial culture after all. Here the first god king of the Khmer Angkor Empire declared the establishment of the Empire in 802 CE, establishing an empire lasting for the next 630 years.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2021/04/07/somewhere-to-run-to-someone-is-eager-to-visit/

#Phnom #Kulen #Mountain #KulenMountain #Khmer #ភ្នំគូលែន #Phnum #Kulên #Lychee #Mountain #Preah #AngThom #Reclining #Buddha #classickhmer #angkor #siemreap #visitsiemreap #cambodia #dirttrack #backcountry #Apsara #ApsaraAuthority #siemreab #reclining #buddhism #stairs #statue #hinduism #cambodia #nationalpark #worldheritage #cultural #architecture #2018CE #classic #Phnom #Kulen #recliningBuddha #cultural #craddle #Kambuja #khmerempire #Ancient #art #ភ្នំគូលែន #Bluesky #Countryside #daytrip #mountainPagoda #roadtrip #Sculpture #southeastasia #visitcambodia #worldculturalheritage

Photo is the head shot of a reclining Buddha, with the rest of the statue going of into the distance to the left. The statue is adorned by small buddha statues, and gifts of incense, lights, cloth and money. It is placed within a room, and the areas not covered by windows got very colourful paintings with motives from the first Buddhas life and preaching. Cambodia is as safe and kind as ever. Angkor and Siem Reap welcomes visitors. Enjoy the Kingdom of Wonder.

Hunting red bananas in the woods

The red bananas from Kulen mountains are a treat and a sweet surprise. They are easily available visiting the sacred mountain and cradle of the Khmer civilization.

Along the hillside road to the Kulen sites, including Preah Ang Thom with Cambodia’s largest reclining buddha, the thousand lingams river and the waterfall in these holy mountains, there are market stalls. Here the locals are selling veggies and fruit, as well as food, drinks and miscellanies like flip flops, hats and krama scarf.

Chek!
These red bananas, “chek leak” in Khmer looks and taste great and is a must-have among the produce offered. The Chek Leak is a bit more expensive than the more ordinary bananas, chek, in Cambodia. Expect prices up to 5 USD a kilo.

For the banana lover, Cambodia is where to make out big time. There are at least 27 different chek/banana versions available in different sizes and colours, and they are often very inexpensive. They vary from the immediately snackable to the savoury plantain version best known for different cooked dishes in various cuisines around the globe.

You may even find a typical Cavendish banana in Cambodia, if that is your craving.

It all ads into the extensive list of fresh fruit easily available for people living or travel in the Kingdom of Wonder.

Open markets are affluent on the road to Kulen Mountain, attracting a lot of different customers. It is an hour-hour and a half drive from Siem Reap, depending on traffic.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2021/01/09/reclining-at-the-craddle-of-khmer-empire-3/

#Phnom #Kulen #Kulen #Mountain #KulenMountain #Khmer #ភ្នំគូលែន #Phnum #Kulên #Lychee #Mountain #Preah #AngThom #Reclining #Buddha #classickhmer #archivephoto #angkor #siemreap #visitsiemreap #cambodia #dirttrack #backcountry #greentourism #Apsara #ApsaraAuthority #greentourism #2019CE

Photo shows a large bundle of red bananas hanging from a metal hook with a wooden shelter in the background. It is framed by forest, and the shadow of trees gives a moderate high contrast colours of the fruit.

this is neither genuine #python nor #pythonic code ;) #Qoder #Apsara

“Love is a growing, or full constant light.”

Or #KhaoLak by lantern-light…

#Donne #JohnDonne #ALectureUponTheShadow #PakarangBeach #Apsara #Thailand #Photography #NightPhotography #FujiFilm #FujiFilmXT5

Apsari The Eight Sisters
Acrylic on canvas 36 x 30 inches available in Saatchi Art for sale now. These Mythical Masterpieces took 4500 hours to complete.
#arylicpainting #surrealism #abstractart #khmer #javanese #thai #balinese #mythology #mythologyart #apsara #unitedstates #europe #art #instagram #artcollector #unique #viral #saveartist
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMyY6fGzBSN/?igsh=czY3YTluOTI5eHNk

Srah Srang, the dual peaceful sunspot

An October morning bike return to Siem Reap via Srah Srang reservoir. Peaceful and far from crowdy are the qualities of this place in Angkor Park. It carried the promise of a nice, sunny day after the green season.

The Srah Srang reservoir, meaning ស្រះស្រង់, "Royal Bath", is one of those spots deserving a couple of visits. Like in the morning and in the evening. It is a place both to enjoy sunrise and sunset.

Along the reservoir on its north and southwest side there are a lot of cafes, restaurant and street food stalls. Open for both breakfast, lunch and dinner. Or for snacks and coffee breaks.

In the northwest corner, the two main routes of sightseeing of the core Angkor Park meets. This is the Angkor Park small circle of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Keo and Ta Prohm temples. And the Grand Circle of Angkor Thom, Royal Palace/Leper King, Preah Khan, Neak Poan, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup.

Today Srah Srang measures 700 by 350 meter. There is a platform in the centre of the Baray, meaning there might have been a larger temple there originally. Now there is a small tower with a spire showing that location.

This reservoir and its small temple were supervised built by the only known Khmer imperial architect by name, minister and guru Kavindrarimathana to the King Rajendravarman II in approximately 950 CE. He is accepted as the main architect behind East Mebon Temple, Prasat Bat Chum and probably the first architect designing Pre Rup Temple.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2025/06/15/srah-srang-the-dual-peaceful-sun-spot/

#2019CE #ancient #angkor #angkorpark #angkorwat #apsara #architecture #archive #art #Asia #biking #bluesky #buddhism #Cambodia #citylife #countryside #daytrip #Empire #greentourism #hinduism #history #imperial #khmer #leaveonlyfootprints #offthebeatentrack #prasatbatchum #prasatbanteaykdei #Rajendravarman #SiemReab #Siem #Reap #visitsiemreap #srahsrang #temple #visitcambodia #worldculturalheritage

Photo shows a large rectangular reservoir of water mirroring different shades of blue and some green from the surrounding trees. Nearest the photographer there are some red dirt leading up to a stone setting bordering the reservoir. There is a young boy in orange shirt sitting there, looking at the peaceful water. He sits in the shadows of a tree to the right framing the photo. Around the reservoir there is a thick forest with some taller trees. Near the middle of the water there is a small Hindu tower with a spire. The sky is mostly blue, with some lightly clouds to the south/left side.

The triple hidden tower temple at the end of red road

Prasat Bat Chum is easily accessible via a red, new dirt road from the south near Prasat Kravan.

Known architect
One unique aspect of this temple is that the architect is known by name. Normally, the god kings are the ones who got their names connected to the temples built during their reign during the 630 years of the Khmer Empire.

Bat Chum was supervised by the architect, minister and guru Kavindrarimathana to the King Rajendravarman II approximately 952CE.

Kavindrarimathana is also accepted as the supervisor behind East Mebon Temple, Srah Srang and maybe the basic designer behind Pre Rup Temple. Meaning that he designed the main reservoirs and elements of most of the Southeast Grand circle Angkor Park.

Mahayana Buddhism
The other unique aspect, Bat Chum was built as Mahayana Buddhist Temple when the Khmer Empire still had Hinduism as the main religion. Another interesting glimpse into religious pluralism early on in this powerful empire.

The three towers are in poor condition when I visited, undergoing a several yearlong restoration project. The three towers are dedicated to Buddha, Vajrapani and Prajnaparamita. Simplified one is for the Buddha, the second for the bodhisattva symbolizing Buddhas power and relentless determination in conquest of negativity, and the third perfection of Wisdom.

This temple is a 12,5 km bike ride from Siem Reap Old Market on mostly flat roads and bike tracks.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat_Chum

#2019CE #ancient #Angkor #angkorpark #apsara #architecture #archive #art #Asia #batchum #biking #bikingintheAngkorWonderland #bluesky #Mahayana #Buddhism #Cambodia #citylife #countryside #Khmer #Empire #greentourism #Hinduism #history #imperial #offthebeatentrack #Pagoda #prasatbatchum #RajendravarmanII #ricefield #roadtrip #Sculpture #SiemReab #SiemReap #visitsiemreap #srahsrang #statetemple #takeonlyphotos #temple #travel #visitcambodia #worldculturalheritage

Photo shows a three-tower temple called Prasat Bat Chum in early Khmer architectural style. It is covered by scaffolds caused by a several yearlong restoration process. It is surrounded by tall, green forest and the platform for the towers stands on a green grass covered ground. It is a sunny morning with a visible clear blue sky.

That morning trip to Prasat Bat Chum among rich rice fields

Bat Chum Temple – ប្រាសាទបាទជុំ – is one of these off the main track sites where the travel is as interesting as the target.
There are several reasons to take a small side trip to the small Prasat Bat Chum. The beautiful entrance track among rice fields and cultural landscape is an obvious one.

It is near Prasat Kravan and close to Srah Srang reservoir. It is easily accessible both as part of and end point of a Small and Grand circuit tour of Angkor Park.

Or by mountain bike.

This morning, I met this fellow sitting near a small river trying fishing. Or simply enjoy a nice morning in the rice fields.
Good ones, either choice.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2024/02/15/prasat-bat-chum-a-unique-temple-off-main-track/

#2019CE #ancient #Angkor #angkorpark #angkorwat #apsara #ApsaraAuthority #architecture #archive #art #Asia #batchum #biking #bikingintheAngkorWonderland #bluesky #Buddhism #Cambodia #capital #citylife #countryside #daytrip #Khmer #Empire #greentourism #Hinduism #history #imperial #leaveonlyfootprints #Mahayana #offthebeatentrack #Pagoda #prasatbatchum #RajendravarmanII #ricefield #roadtrip #Sculpture #SiemReab #SiemReap #visitsiemreap #srahsrang #statetemple #takeonlyphotos #temple #travel #visitcambodia #worldculturalheritage

Photo shows a reddish-brown dirt track going straight through fields of rice into a small cluster of trees shielding a temple. The fields have some single trees spread out marking borders between rice paddocks. A small river is going in a culvert under the dirt track, and a man is sitting near the left side opening with a small fishing rod. It is a sunny morning with slightly warm sun and the sky is cobalt blue with some light clouds on the horizon.

#microfiction #apsara #horror #mystery #india

Explanation here:

https://mstdn.social/@NakedOldDude/114647338078321324

$They warned Evelyn Ashcroft not to go to Konvalipuram during the Ghost Month—when shadows deepen and restless spirits stir. But the ache in her chest, a hunger for gods long forgotten, pushed her forward. She carried a brittle map and a box of rosewood incense, given by a blind fakir beneath Bombay’s sultry skies. The temple lay half-swallowed by jungle, its walls tangled with vines and moss. Along the eastern plinth, nine apsaras danced in eternal stone—hips curved, fingers frozen in sacred mudrā, mouths parted as if whispering ancient desires. But one was different; her eyes seemed to gleam with life. At dusk, Evelyn lit the incense. Smoke rose like a serpent, heavy with musk and something darker—an intoxicating promise. Then, without sound, the stone shifted. One apsara stepped down—no longer mere carving, but flesh and breath: bronze skin glowing faintly in the dying sun, eyes black as the night before gods were born, lips curved in a smile both tender and cruel. “You burned the gift,” she whispered, voice like silk tracing bare skin. “So you must dance.” Evelyn’s breath caught. The apsara extended her hand. Rooted and helpless, Evelyn rose—and began the slow, fluid, infinite dance. Time fractured; her clothes crumbled to dust; her name vanished on the wind. When the temple was rediscovered in ’42, nine apsaras graced the plinth—each frozen in eternal dance, the last with a face that seemed strangely british...$

She lit the incense in the ruined temple, unaware it was meant for gods, not men. From the carved stone dancers, a #apsara stepped down — her smile older than empires, her skin warm as blood. “You burned the gift,” she whispered. “Now I must dance.” She could not run. She danced until her name crumbled like her bones. When the #temple was found again, there were nine statues — the last with a familiar, terrified face.

#microfiction inspired by https://mstdn.social/@HarvardArtRoulette@zirk.us/114647158800409615

@HarvardArtRoulette

AI - Recreated image: AI restored a photo of an indian temple Statue, so now it looks like a real woman.

I saw the Buddha in the stone

The heritage from the old capital city of Chenla is still visible in the Kampong Thom area.

When it comes to the art of stonework is still kept in high regards in the modern day just south of Kampong Thom city.
Driving southeast along National Road 6 towards Kampong Cham, Skoun and Phnom Penh, you will drive along stone masonries and cement sculptures along the road. And you get to see how its done.

Like in this photo.

#Dusty #hard #work in #stone #masonry" #kampuchea #sun #village #villagelife #honest #labour #buddhism #Lord #buddha #Kampong #Thom #2016CE #ancient #apsara #Apsara #Authority #archaeology #architecture #architecturelovers #archive #art #ប្រាសាទសំបូរព្រៃគុហ៏ #biking #Buddhism #Cambodia #capital #Central #chenla #city #life #countryside #culture #daytrip #Empire #Hinduism #history #humanity #imperial #jungle #Kampong #Thom #Kampuchea #khmer #multicultural #myson #onerace #Pagoda #Prasat #Sombo #Preykuh #preangkor #Prei #Prey #Kŭh #Sambor #Sâmbor #Prey #Kŭh #Sculpture #south #east #asia #southeastasia #statetemple #temple #templecomplex #tree #visitcambodia #worldculturalheritage #Funan #isanapura #Kampong #Thom #khmer #kouk #roadtrip #Prei #kouk #site #southeastasia #worldheritage

Photo shows a man in a stony dust cloud working on a stone sculpture with a machine tool. It is a sunny day, and the sun plays with the contrasts inside the stone dust. Around the cloud and in the background, there are some sculptures in different modes near finish. To the left there is some large trees, and far in the background there is a low building. A red fridge box is visible in the shadows under the trees.

Sunset at Preah Enkosei Temple
ប្រាសាទព្រះឥន្រ្ទកោសីយ៍, Siem Reap.

It is regarded as the ancient Khmer temple closest to modern Siem Reap city centre. Preah Enkosei is between the modern Wat Enkosei and the necropolis of this pagoda and monastery area.

Preah Enkosei was built as a three tower Hindu temple appx 950CE. The entrance Gopura is flanked by small lion guardian statues. The Gopura have an anteroom with a lingam and is placed on the remains of a laterite wall running partly around the perimeter. There are two "library"-building remains flanking the gate on the inside.

The southern tower is marked by a platform only. There are discussions going on if it was ever built, never finished or for other reasons demolished before modern excavations started.

This temple is close to Siem Reap River, and it is an excellent target for an easy afternoon stroll along the river. It should take appx 30-35 minutes’ walk from Siem Reap city centre.

Or 10 minutes by bike.

Visitors do not need Angkor Pass, but this is still a functioning wat and pagoda area. Please act respectful entering this holy place of worship.

#Preah #Enkosai #Temple #PreahEnkosai #2022CE #ancient #angkor #Archeological #Park #angkortemples #Apsara #Authority #architecture #Asia #ប្រាសាទចាន់តាអួន #biking #bikingintheangkorwonderland #bluesky #buddhism #Cambodia #citylife #daytrip #Empire #greentourism #hinduism #history #imperial #J7 #JayavarmanVII #Kampuchea #khmerempire #kingdomofwonder #Temple #roadtrip #lionsculpture #SiemReab #SiemReap #southeastasia #ravel #visitcambodia #visitsiemreap #worldculturalheritage

Photo shows an old temple remain with two towers in later Khmer style. In front there is a gate with a small ante room and a simpler doorframe behind it. Small stairs are leading up to the main gate. On both sides of the gate is an old, low stone wall leading off to both sides. In front of the stairs there is two small guardian lion statues. There is an Apsara Marker Stone to the right, stating the name of the temple in Khmer, English, and dated to late 12th century. The track leading up to the gate is of red earth. On both sides there are flowers, plants and green turf. It is a late sunny day with lightly clouded blue sky. In the background behind the towers there are several trees to the right and left and in the distance. A couple of hours before sunset, the sunlight is warm and yellow.

The Apsara lady playing pin

This statue is placed close to the most famous landmark in Kep, the blue swimming crab statue.
It is a statue in white of a Apsara deity playing the Cambodian harp instrument Pin. But she is not the same as the other famous statue in Kep, the White Lady, or Lady waiting for her seafaring man to return.
Playing third pin of the statues near Kep Beach, the statue is still important in Khmer cultural history.
The Pin is an arched harp, first found in engravings in Sambor Prey Kouk, the capital of Chenla. The Chenla kingdom was the last Khmer kingdom before the declaration of the Khmer Angkor Empire in 802 CE.
The Pin went out of use with the empire in the 1500s. But it is now being restored as a significant part of the musical cultural heritage of Cambodia. Even if the instrument itself was lost for hundreds of years, its name was not. The very name for Cambodian classical music Is still “pinpeat” in Khmer (Khmer: ពិណពាទ្យ).

#Apsara #lady #Pin #statue #famous #landmark #Kep #blueswimmingcrab #deity #Cambodian #harp #instrument #KepBeach #Khmer #cultural #history #SamborPreyKouk #Chenla #Khmerkingdom #Khmer #Angkor #Empire #restored #Cambodia #pinpeat #ពិណពាទ្យ