Cambodia Marked the “2nd Anniversary of Preah Vihear Temple”


BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA

More than 600 people including Cambodian troops, government officials, Buddhist monks, nuns, laymen and villagers have gathered on the 7th of July at Preah Vihear Temple in Preah Vihear province to mark the “2nd Anniversary of Preah Vihear Temple” when it was officially included into the World Heritage’s List in 2008, by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The celebration of the “2nd Anniversary of Preah Vihear Temple” was organized by the Preah Vihear Authority, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and Preah Viherar Provincial Authority.
H.E. Chuch Phoeung, Secretary of State for the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, said that the event marked the second year as Cambodia has organized the 2nd Anniversary of Preah Vihear Temple. He stated that the event aimed to mark and remember the date and the inclusion of Preah Vihear Temple into the World Heritage’s List by UNESCO in 2009.

“Preah Vihear Temple belongs to Cambodia and it is located inside the Khmer territory and it is now the World’s humanity property. Cambodian government appreciates and is thankful with the UNESCO for its hard work and putting the temple into the World Heritage’s List,” he said during his opening remarks of the celebration.

He said that Preah Vihear Temple was inserted by the World Heritage Committees into the world heritage on the 15th of July 2008 in Quebec, Canada, after it was officially requested by the Royal Government of Cambodia.

H.E. Phay Siphan, Spokesman and Secretary of State for the Council of Ministers, said that Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak and Preah Vihear temple belonged to Cambodia, they are inside Khmer territories. He added that Thailand has encroached on land around the landmark Preah Vihear temple, in the northern part of Cambodia.

Preah Vihear Temple is situated at the Cambodian-Thai border top of the 625 meters high Preah Vihear mountain in Svay Chhrum village, Kantuot commune, Choam Ksan district, with 108 kilometers north of Tbaeng Meanchey, the capital of Preah Vihear province. The temple is 800 meters long and 400 meters width.

According to a Cambodian documents and history, the temple is one of the most striking to have been built during the 600-year-long Khmer empire. It was mainly built over a 100-150 year period during the reigns of the kings, King Suryavarman (1002-1050) and King Suryavarman II (1113-1150). Its main architectural features are Khmer in origin but signs of earlier influences particularly the Bantery Srei style is noticeable in the earlier buildings.

The Preah Vihear temple includes some superb carved friezes one is of particular interest as it shows King Suryavarman II going about his devotions and presenting gifts of white parasols, gold bowls and elephants to his spiritual leader. This carved frieze is just one example of the outstanding carvings to be found at the temple. /

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