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KBAL SPEAN
Kbal Spean (Khmer: ក្បាលស្ពាន) ("Bridge Head") is an Angkorian era site on the southwest slopes of the Kulen Hills in Cambodia, 25 km from the main Angkor group. It is commonly known as the valley of a 1000 Lingas.[1] It consists of a series of stone carvings in and around the Stung Kbal Spean river. The motifs for the stone carvings are roughly three: myriads of lingams, depicted as neatly arranged bumps that cover the surface of a rock; lingam - yoni designs; and various Hindu mythological motifs, including depictions of gods and animals.
The majority of Kbal Spean's archaeological vestiges date to the 11th to 13th centuries. Construction of Kbal Spean was started by King Suryavarman I and later completed by King Udayadityavarman II.
It is commonly known as the valley of a 1000 Lingas due to the presence of the estimated one thousand lingas, which are sculptures dug in the Siem Reap riverbeds. Lingas were believed to fertilize the water of the East Baray and irrigate the rice fields in Cambodia.
Kbal Spean Waterfalls
The waterfall here is best seen at the end of the rainy season. At the top of the falls are numerous carved figures and animals This site has only been opened up to tourism since 1998 and is less crowded than the nearby Phnom Koulen. This Hindu Pilgrimage site predates Angkor Wat by some 200 years; making it one the most ancient sites in the region.
Kbal Spean is looked after very well; the waymarked trail is a very attractive route through atmospheric jungle. The path is steep; with some well maintained steps. Sounds of birds and wildlife with hundreds of butterflies enhance the visit which is at its best in the rainy season or early in the Dry season May through to December.
From February the river dries up and the falls become just a trickle; so we stop running tours until May or June when the river flows.
One of the most impressive features at Kbal Spean was the carving of Vishnu on the rocks by the upper cascade.
It was hacked off in 2003 by robbers. An ugly scar remained until August 2006 whe a new replacement carving was added. The new carving has blended in well as you can see by the recent photo above.
The image on left was taken a week after it was installed
On a trip here in December 05 I was talking about wildlife to an Australian couple and said that one thing that I really wanted to see in Cambodia was a large snake. I had seen the odd small one but would want to see a python or similar. Within minutes we saw a young golden python among the sacred Lingas.