Preah Ang Thom Pagoda

Located atop Phnom Kulen, and often referred to as the Reclining Buddha, Preah Ang Thom (Khmer: ព្រះអង្គធំ) is an 8 meters (26 ft) tall statue of the reclining Buddha reaching nirvana. The statue is carved into a huge natural sandstone boulder to which a modern staircase has been added along with a shelter over the Buddha. It is a very sacred and special site for all Cambodians and there are always patrons visiting the site and at times becoming quite busy.

On the streets surrounding the pagoda, you’ll find plenty of souvenir stalls, and preceding the stairs there is a grand naga balustrade and an entrance arch flanked by elephants (all contemporary). On reaching the entrance to the pagoda, you can take off your shoes, say your blessings, then, head up the staircase to the grand Buddha. There are numerous modern sculptures around the site, a Buddha’s foot imprint or Buddhapada (near where you leave your shoes), and it’s a special place to relax and think, or not think, albeit likely busy.

Researchers note that the Buddha was likely carved in the post-Angkorian era with some suggesting the 16th century based on the dates inscribed on the Buddha’s foot (Buddhapada) near the monolith and from a pedestal. The leading archeologist of the area, Jean-Baptiste Chevance recorded that inscriptions K. 715, K. 716, and the nearby K. 1006 indicate that the site of Preah Ang Thom was likely quite famous in the post-Angkorian period, extending beyond the borders of the old Khmer empire. Other inscriptions were also found at the site and you’ll also see some Hanzi/Kyujitai characters which I am trying to learn more about.

Preah Ang Thom Pagoda is located around 600 m from the River of 1000 Lingas, Phnom Kulen waterfall, and Kraol Romeas Temple.

Getting to Preah Ang Thom Pagoda – Kulen Mountain is located around 80 km to the north of Siem Reap. You can take day tours from Siem Reap city noting there is also an entry fee to the mountain, read more in our guide to visiting Kulen Mountain.

References

• Chevance Jean-Baptiste. Inscriptions du Phnom Kulen. Corpus existant et inscriptions inédites, une mise en contexte. In: Bulletin de l’Ecole française d’Extrême-Orient. Tome 100, 2014. pp. 201-230;