The construction of the Preah Vihear temple started in the late 9th century.  It was originally known as Sreysikharesvara, which means “the power of the mountain.”  It has always been a great importance to the Khmer culture because it was used as a place of worship.  It is also known as a sanctuary for study and reflection on the heavens and earth, along with divinity of Shiva.  It is the ultimate sacred temple for the Khmer culture.

The temple is decorated with nagas, give gopuras, sanctuaries, courtyards and galleries.  Each will teach you a little bit about the history of the Khmer people who designed the temple.  The detail is significant and the stone is carved with perfectionism.  While the temple is yet to be restored, it is still a magnificent sight to see, plus the fact that it has not been restored adds to the significant history of the architecture.  The durability of the building that is over a thousand years old is amazing, and the complexity of its structure is astonishing.

Speaking of astonishing, the temple also offers one of the most beautiful sights you will ever see.  The view off of Pei Ta Da Cliff is of magnificent beauty.  It looks down upon the  Cambodian jungle, and I must say, the view is heavenly.  If you get the opportunity to see the sunrise or sunset, or both, you are truly witnessing something majestic.

The temple of Preah Vihear does not only hold historical meaning for the early centuries, but it holds historical value for more current events as well.  A civil war broke out in Cambodia in 1975 when the Khmer Rouge took reign.  Due to the temple’s position, it was a great defensive for the war and many loyal soldiers (not of Khmer Rouge) were able to hold it, even though the grounds below had fallen to communism.

Despite Khmer Rouge’s defeat in 1979, Khmer Rouge soldiers began occupying the temple in 1992.  They did not surrender to the Cambodian government until six years later, 1998.  This allowed tourist to have access to the temple through the Thailand side, but the Cambodian side did not have access until 2003, when the construction of the road was complete and travel was made accessible.  Preah Vihear is located on top of a 625 meter tall mountain or plateau, and the Cambodian side is extremely steep.

Due to the Preah Vihear location on the Thailand and Cambodia border, there has been disputes over its ownership since the early 1900’s.  After sixty years of dispute, making maps, and disputing maps, in 1962 it was ruled that Cambodia had ownership over the temple in a vote nine to three.

Ever since Thailand has always been angry about the decision and still disputed that the temple should belong to them.  The dispute is still going on today, and there is occasional gun fire from the Thailand side.  The last violent report was in April 2009.  Cambodia and Thailand are trying to come to a mutual agreement, but until then beware of the dangers.