Sahasra Lingas at Kbal Spean Cambodia

Commonly known as the “Valley of a 1000 Lingas” or “The River of a Thousand Lingas”, or Sahasra Lingas, the small rivulet or river flows over 1000 Shiva Lingas that are carved on the stone on the river bed. It is believed that the Sahasra Lingas bless and help purify the waters of the river Siem Reap. There are several carvings of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Lakshmi, Uma, Rama, and Hanuman.

Each of the Thousand Lingas are believed to represent one name from the Shiva Sahasranama (Thousand Names of Siva). The carvings began with the reign of King Suryavarman I and ended with the reign of King Udayadityavarman II in the 11th and 12th centuries.

Location: At Kbal Spean (Khmer: ក្បាលស្ពាន “Bridge Head”) in Cambodia. On the southwest slopes of the Kulen Hills to the northeast of Angkor in Siem Reap District, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia. You can reach it after a drive and a long trek that is worth the effort. The place is unspoilt, with calm serene water and natural surroundings.

 

Map


ShivamSharma