Wat Phnom

Wat Phnom (Khmer: វត្តភ្នំ; "Mountain Pagoda") 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.

Not to be confused with Wat Phra That Phanom.
Wat Phnom
វត្តភ្នំ
View of Wat Phnom
Religion
AffiliationTheravada Buddhism
StatusWat Phnom historical park
Location
LocationPhnom Penh city
CountryCambodia
Geographic coordinates11°34′34″N 104°55′23″E
Architecture
FounderLady Penh
Completed1373

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.

In 2015, the Phnom Penh municipality was planning to renovate the monument.[1]

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 temple 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.

  • The main stupa on Wat Phnom
  • Main pagoda
  • Main stairway leading to the Pagoda
  • Statue of King Sisowath
  • Paintings inside the temple
  • Buddhist shrine inside the pagoda

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 fourth leg of The Amazing Race 15.[2]

See also

References
  1. Vida, Taing. "Wat Phnom to be restored, National, Phnom Penh Post". www.phnompenhpost.com. Retrieved 2019-06-07.
  2. "'Amazing Race': Episode 3 recap". Digital Spy. December 10, 2009. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
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