Peung Chhat

Located on the north side of Phnom Kulen and south of the village of Kronhoung, at the foot of the mountain slope, it’s a spectacular rock monolith that tapers in at the bottom creating a rock shelter.

This natural shelter has in ancient times been put to good use, featuring quite a well-executed rock carving of a lotus petal, similar to those of classical Khmer art seen across temple sites. Walls, formed by rocks and what may be mud and lime grout, had been added to create small enclosures of unknown purpose perhaps as the dwelling of an ascetic or hermit. Two sandstone pedestals can be seen at the site, one created from shale sandstone that’s quite decayed but still sporting a white coating in parts. On the north side of the site is a small basin, which may be related.

The lotus has sadly had its center idol hacked away but fortunately, there are some images from the 1970s via Les sites archéologiques de la région du Bhnaṃ Gūlen (Phnom Kulen) depicting what is assumed to be Shiva and Uma.

The area here, depending on your time of visit is a kind of paradise, or at the least a natural wonderland. Rock monoliths abound and the views of the northern side of Kulen, either late at night or early morning are quite wonderful. There is also a stream and the sound of a small waterfall that must be nearer to the mount slope. East of the site is another rock shelter, currently occupied. Banana trees can be seen, and cassava has been planted everywhere else. North of here, is Peung Preah Put Kroam and a wooden hut that was unoccupied at the time of visit (01/23). A little further north and along the trail from Kronhoung is Prasat Roeu.

Note: At the time of visiting, 01/23, the site can be reached from the village of Kronhoung via a farm trail best suited to farm tractors or 4WD in wet weather. A local Honda bike can make it there but it was a fair struggle even after the light rain from the day before. The trail begins either from south of the large basin on the east side of Prasat Kranhoung or from beside the school. This trail passes by Prasat Roeu and Peung Put Kraom.

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..