subject: Wat Nokor- A Holy Shrine [print this page] Phnom Penh is one of the most culturally rich cities in Cambodia which is studded with attractions. This city has seen a steady flow of tourists coming in to the country in the recent past which has accelerated economic progress in the region. This attraction filled city is also a prime destination for shopping and dining as a variety of high end clothing outlets and quality restaurants can be found all around the city. Just two hours away from the city of Phnon Penh in the peaceful village of Kompong Cham hidden away amongst lush greenery lay the Wat Nokor temple that is a Buddhist religious site which has been in existence for centuries.
Wat Nokor was originally built as a Mahayana Buddhist shrine which is thought to have been built in the 11th century. This shrine was however converted into a Theravada Buddhist Pagoda later on. Many of the older enclosures of this shrine were modified during this transitional period into worship areas. This temple is thought to be built out of sandstone and laterite. Visitors to this religious site will also be able to see a reclining Buddha statue and another statue which is thought to have been built in memory of its founder.
This temple was also the residence of Jayavarman II who was a king of ancient Cambodia who used the temples location as a central point to spread his influence on communities in the area. Although many legends about the origins of the temple have been conjured up in the minds of the locals with the passing of time, none of them can be proven with believable evidence.
Established in 1929, Raffles Hotel Le Royal is regarded as a premier Phnom Penh hotel which has won a number of awards over the years for providing quality service to its guests. This flagship hotel in Cambodia is located in a convenient location that offers easy access to many of the citys popular tourist attractions.
