Boh Tra Temple

Also recorded as Prasat Bos Tra, the site is located north of Khvav Village and south of the village of La Ang in a rural but quite beautiful area of valleys and mountain ranges. The site is located part way up one of those mountains and has also become a contemporary monastery with a new pagoda in development (02/23).

The ancient temple is a single tower, formed of laterite opening to the northwest and originally having featured a brick superstructure. It retains a lintel above its northwest entrance whilst very decayed, the central idol remains in situ. A collection of remnants surround the site including a water spout, several pedestals, feet of small statue, and most interestingly, a stone sarcophagus.

The site is very sacred to locals and abounds in folklore and is wrapped in superstitions that should be followed by all. The site features a sacred spring with crystal clear water right beside the temple and at the edge of the mountain face that, according to beliefs cannot be used by women, moreover, women entering the site should cover themselves completely. The monk is quite clear on this point, stating that non-observers of this belief have gone home and fallen quite ill.

Rodney Charles LHuillier

Living in Asia for over a decade and now residing in beautiful Siem Reap. Rodney Charles L'Huillier has spent over seven years in Cambodia and is the author of Ancient Cambodia (2024) and Essential Siem Reap (2017, 2019). Contact via [email protected] - more..