Wat Phnom in Phnom Penh

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Description

Wat Phnom is a Buddhist temple (wat) located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It was built in 1372, and stands 27 metres (88.5 ft) above the ground. It is the tallest religious structure in the city. The pagoda was given the name of Wat Preah Chedey Borapaut. Wat Phnom is the central point of Phnom Penh.

History

Legend relates that a wealthy widow called Penh (commonly referred to as Daun Penh – Grandmother Penh – in Khmer) found a large koki tree in the river. Inside the tree she found four bronze statues of the Buddha. Penh constructed a small shrine on an artificial hill made by the people living in the village to protect the sacred statues. Eventually this became a sacred site and sanctuary where people would make blessings and pray.

Then it came to the year of the snake 1437 suggests King Ponhea Yat ordered His Excellency Decho Srei to raise the mount even higher when he finished building the new Royal Palace in the new city he then named Krong Chaktomok Mongkol or simply known as Phnom Penh. The prominent stupa immediately west of the sanctuary contains the ashes of the king and his royal family.

Wat Phnom is the center of celebration during Khmer New Year, and Pchum Ben.

Architecture

The sanctuary itself was rebuilt several times in the 19th century and again in 1926. The interior has a central altar complex with a large bronze seated Buddha surrounded by other statues, flowers, candles and items of devotion and worship. The walls are covered with murals, especially of Jataka stories of the Buddha's earlier reincarnations before his enlightenment. There are also murals depicting stories from the Reamker, the Khmer version of the Ramayana. The newer murals in the bottom tiers are somewhat balanced, traditional and modern.

The southwest corner of the vihear and stupa, is a small shrine dedicated to Lady Penh. The front is often crowded with the faithful bringing their prayers and food offerings to the woman deemed responsible for the founding of the wat.

Statue of King Sisowath Main stairway leading to the Pagoda. Main Pagoda Paintings inside the temple Inner view Mythological scenes on the wall of the temple

Culture References

Wat Phnom appeared on the Travel Channel documentary, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. It also served as the Pit Stop for the 4th Leg of The Amazing Race 15.

Street view

Reviews

05.10.2021 Katarzyna
One of the few places in the capital, which is clean and doesn't reek of urine. Very beautiful, small Church with a Park where you can relax from masakrycznego movement and the piston. Of course, tourists pay an entrance fee, kambodżanie included for free.
05.10.2021 Ka-chung
Tower Hill is Phnom Penh the capital city landmark, the 27-meter-high artificial mountain in the city's Northeast pass it that Daun Penh, a wealthy widow, she in the river picked up a piece of smooth drifting of the koki tree. She is originally wanted to use it to prepare a house, and later found the tree inside is hollow, but also see the four statues in it. Then, she will use her portion of the property to build a small Shrine in order to store and reverence to erect the statue. Eventually, this became a sacred place, people began to surround this small mountain settlement and is soon to become a city. This city got its name for“Phnom Penh”-Phnom Penh“Phnom”mean in the Khmer mountains, and“Penh”is, of course, Ben the lady's name. Later, Bob Neya King Ponhea Yat 1393 to 1463, in which was built the temple Vihear, and he in 1422 years from Angkor, the capital moved to Phnom Penh. In the West the prominent stupa of the sanctuary or the temple vihear is dedicated to the former King's ashes. This temple provided frequently. In the foothills there are many in the shrines and activities. France lay in the late nineteenth century gardens and Taoist shrines, Confucian, Hindu beliefs and in particular the Vietnamese of concern to the sanctuary are dedicated to the king.
05.10.2021 Hai
Wat Phnom is a temple history and is one of the temple most important in Phnom Penh. This is sacred temple attracts pilgrims from all over the country and are sights not to be missed by tourists when traveling to this country.
05.10.2021 africanstyle
Wood, and if we would have the sun to avoid, I Within the Park, especially in a shop and not walking or feeling. Temple Japan is not a flavor.
05.10.2021 M
Majestic history & legacy are shown here, mountain pagoda. Central altar has large golden / bronze seated Budha surrounded by other big & small statues, flowers, incents, candles and worshipping materials. Walls are covered with beautiful paintings.
05.10.2021 Jane
Expected a big temple with a park but it's actually quite small. So many amazing temples in SEA, not the best one. Entrance fee is 1$ for foreigners.
05.06.2018 Brian
More of a quiet park than a must-see temple. The entrance fee is USD 1, which grants you the right to walk up the steps. However, inside the Buddhist temple is really spectacular. Look up and see the ceiling art!
30.05.2018 Colguides
Travel to Cambodia, Wat Phnom is one of favorite destination to travel in Phnom Penh, We can know about history of Phnom Penh city and see who are the first building the city. You can relax under a big tree around wat phnom and take pictures of birds. Don't miss Wat Phnom if you travel Phnom Penh
22.05.2018 Anselm
Was asked for one dollar entrance fee. It is a nice place but in the end of the day it is not much more than a nice and well kept park, with some little history to it. Nothing to get overly excited for but nice to stroll around for an hour or so. I thought it appealing to read a book in the shadow of the trees but wished I didn't have to pay entrance fee for this.
21.04.2018 Nattiga
It was nice place to visit. You could see Buddha statue inside of the temple. But, the weather was so hot because I came here on April. It was summer time.
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