Kbal Spean, Cambodia
Copyright © Timothy Tye. Stock Photo for Sale
Kbal Spean
Cambodia
Kbal Spean is the name of the place where the Kbal Spean River, Stung Kbal Spean, flows to join the Siem Reap River, on its journey towards Angkor. The ancient Khmers carved images of their gods as well as holy stones called lingas, into the stream bed, giving the river its Sanskrit name Sahasralinga, meaning "River of a Thousand Lingas".
The 150-meter stretch of stream bed where the carvings are visible was only discovered in 1968 by Jean Boulbet. Among the carvings includes a reclining Vishnu. Carvings of Shiva and Brahma are also found. The carvings are usually dry during the dry season and submerged in water during the wet. The carvings are believed to date to the 11th and 12th centuries, around the time when the Baphuon was built. From the inscriptions on the rock, we now know that they were done during the reign of King Udayadityavarman II. We also know that King Udayadityavarman II visited the site in 1059 AD to consecrate the carvings.
