Culture

Kukhak Nokor on the way

by Albeiror24 | August 28, 2010 at 06:12 am

224 views | 0 Recommendations | 1 comment

Sihanoukville. Every ancient temple or archeological site in Cambodia and Southeast Asia is just a wonder. Of course, there are places that are more wonderful than others, but it depends of the like of everyone. After you admire the most visited sites like Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat, you have to explore the hidden temples. This one of Kukhar Nokor is a very especial one and, as you can see just looking in the search engines, is out of the busy tourist route of Cambodia.

Ironically it is located just in the midway between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Just in Kompong Thom, that northern province that is passed by the hurried visitors to the two Cambodian main centers for tourism. However, Kompong Thom has much to offer as Siem Reap and the Mekong capital if you spend a good time over there. Personally I like Kompong Thom.

The temple is located in NR6, 15 miles at the north of Skuon or Skun town. A well visible board in Trodork Village greets the visitors with a 'Welcome to Kukhak Nokor Temple'. It is far from NR6 about 200 meters going to the left if you come from Phnom Penh.

There is not a counter or office to pay the obliged ticket for foreign visitors (nothing more than 5 dollars per person as this year,) but you will be asked by an elderly guard who cares the place. Inside the ruins there are a big number of locals: adults dedicated to worship and blessings from the Hindu compound that still respected as a religious site. Then a group of youth, males and females, just there, with their long hair and doing nothing at all. However, it seems not a threat for security. It shows also that not too many visitors come to the place.

The place is a wonder. It is completely Angkorian of the list of King Suryavarman I, 11th century and, of course, a Hindu. At its side a modern Buddhist pagoda that is anyway beautiful and guarantees a certain protection, as the site is regard as sacred.

The temple is amazingly well preserved. if you love archaeology, you will find all the elements of the Hindu cosmology.