Preah Theat Teuk Chhar

Preah Theat Teuk Chhar is a group of temples located in the heart of nature, about forty kilometers northwest of Kampong Cham. It is in the now picturesque and perfectly authentic village of Thmor Da that these religious buildings were constructed over 1,000 years ago!

King Suryavarman I had them built based on the wise suggestions of his loyal advisor at the time, the architect Chung Cheal, also known as Leaksintra. The complex was dedicated to the Hindu gods, following a predominantly Brahmanical vision. Hinduism was, at that time, the predominant religion within the Khmer Empire.

History

It took decades, even centuries, to complete the final version of the site, named Leaksintrabot, which means "the child of Leaksintra," by King Suryavarman I in honor of his architect. This was because the successive kings who followed added their own contributions based on their respective beliefs. A total of 551 temples, large and small, Hindu and Buddhist, decorated or not, were constructed at Leaksintrabot.

What remains today is known as Preah Theat Teuk Chhar, which translates to "The waterfall where the king rests." There is no evidence today that the remains of King Suryavarman I rest near the waterfall in the village of Thmor Da, but this place undoubtedly played a central role in his life.

At the time the site was being constructed, King Suryavarman I drew from his personal fortune to accelerate the work. The inhabitants of nearby villages naturally contributed, either by lending a hand or, for the wealthier ones, by paying. As Leaksintrabot took shape, the king had the idea of bringing together the villagers to form one single community around the place of worship. It is said that the city was inaugurated with a grand celebration in 1025, during which the king offered 29 royal soldiers to the people, built courtyards for traditional festivities, ponds for fishing, and rice fields for agriculture.

Centuries followed after the death of the king, who had fallen in love with this place. Wars followed, and many temples were destroyed or severely damaged. Some monks organized to rebuild certain structures, notably replacing brick roofs with concrete.

You can still visit the remaining temples today. One, for example, houses a linga, a relatively modern representation of the god Shiva, as well as two statues named Paramesvara and Sarasvata. Another temple, still very interesting to visit, is located along the canal, very close to the famous waterfall that gave the site its current name.

How to get there

To reach Preah Theat Teuk Chhar in the village of Thmor Da, leave Kampong Cham city via National Road 7 heading west, then turn right onto National Road 60. Continue and then turn right again to follow the canal. Follow the canal, and you will arrive at your destination.