Preah Vihear is a Khmer temple in the Preah Vihear province of Cambodia.  It is set in a spectacular location on a 525 meter cliff in the Dangrek Mountains, on the Thai border.  It provides a magnificent view of several kilometers across a plain. It is considered to be the best temple of the numerous temples constructed during the long duration of the Khmer Empire, and was the center of the empire’s spiritual life.

The temple’s architecture reflects the varied styles of different kings who modified it during their reign. While most of the Khmer temples are oriented toward the east, this temple has the distinction of being different by being constructed along a north-south axis, which is unusual.

The construction of this temple dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva was started as early as the 9^th century by the monarchs of the Khmer Empire, who had a strong Brahman influence.  Initially, the Shiva sanctuary was built at the very top of the mountain.  Over the centuries, the temple paid tribute to Shiva’s different manifestations; as Sikharesvara and Bhadresvara, the mountain gods. Most of the temple was constructed during the reigns of kings Suryavarman and Suryavarman II.

You will also find an inscription at the temple that provides details of Suryavarman II celebrating religious rituals, reciting sacred rituals and making gifts for his spiritual advisor, who was an aged Brahman. The inscription also reveals that the Brahman also took great interest in the temple and donated a golden statue of Shiva to the temple.

Preah Vihear is dissimilar to the other temple mountains of Angkor, but it also represents Mount Meru, the adobe of gods; albeit a more stylish version.  There are a total of five gopuras that are on different levels, increasing the impact. These gopuras act as blocks so that the next part of the temple is not seen unless a gateway is passed.  The whole temple complex cannot be seen completely from any one location.

The Preah Vihear province of Cambodia, where the temple is located, gets its name from this temple. This temple set the stage for the surrender of the Khmer Rouge in 1998. There have been significant disputes between Cambodia and Thailand over the ownership of the temple.