Kbal Spean

"River of a thousand lingas"

Carvings of lingas and Hindu gods 

Name:Kbal Spean Date:eleventh century King:Udayadityavarman II Location:West of Route 67 in Phnom Kulen National Park, around 50 kilometers North East of Siem Reap

Kbal Spean is an antiquated Khmer site in Phnom Kulen National Park, a remote place situated at extensive separation from Siem Reap and the principle Angkor landmarks. The site extends over a length of around 150 meters through the wilderness along the Stung Kbal Spean waterway, known as the "stream of a thousand lingas". 

There is no sanctuary at Kbal Spean. The waterway bed is secured with several lingas, while delineations of Hindu divinities have been cut into the stone along and in the stream. The vast majority of the lingas and carvings were made in the eleventh century amid the rule of King Udayadityavarman II. 

To shield the lingas and sculptings from additionally rot the waterway bed has been fenced off; guests can see the old sculptings from a little separation. Kbal Spean which means "stone extension head", is named after the common stone scaffold under which the stream streams for an area. 

"Waterway of a thousand lingas" 

In a few areas of the stream many lingas and a few yonis have been cut out of the sandstone waterway bed. The linga is the portrayal of Shiva, while the yoni is the female partner of the linga. The waterway water was purified by running over the lingas in the stream bed. The water at that point spilled out of the slopes of Phnom Kulen to Angkor and the sanctuaries. 

Various carvings of Hindu gods have been made in rocks along the waterway, including a few carvings of Vishnu leaning back on Ananta-Shesha, the King of the Nagas and Lakshmi, his partner rubbing his feet. Different carvings indicate delineations of Brahma, the Hindu God of creation and Shiva and his significant other Uma riding Nandi the bull. 

In the South area of the Kbal Spean site is a waterfall best observed amid the blustery season. Promptly North of the waterfall is a little pool. Covered up under the water surface are carvings in the stone of a crocodile and Vishnu leaning back on Ananta-Shesha, and also carvings of the Hindu Trimurti Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. 

Step by step instructions to get to Kbal Spean 

In view of its remote area it requires investment and push to get to Kbal Spean. The excursion from Siem Reap takes around 1 hour via auto and 1½ hours by tuk. From the auto stop it takes an additional 45 minutes to one hour to get to the site. An all around stamped 1,500 meter trail tough through the timberland with wooden stairs for the steepest segments prompts the Kbal Spean stream bed. The site opens from 8 am until 3 pm.