Sambor Prei Kuk ("The City of Shiva in the Forest of Towers"; Khmer: ប្រាសាទសំបូរព្រៃគុក), originally called Isanapura, was the centre of worship of Shiva Brahmanishm and the capital of the Chenla Kingdom beginning in the 7th Century during the reign of King Isanavarman and continued to be an important learning centre during the Angkorian era. At the height of Sambor Prei Kuk, the 30 km square complex contained 292 “Sambor style” temples. Today only 52 remain. The main temple area consists of three complexes, each enclosed by the remains of two concentric walls. Their basic layout – a central tower surrounded by shrines, ponds and gates – may have served as an inspiration for the architects of Angkor five centuries later.
The Northern Temple Group, Prasat Sambor, was the largest and of the three temple complexes built. While there is no record of whom the temples were first dedicated it is known that the main deity after renovation in the 10th Century was Gambhireshvara, one of Shiva’s many incarnations.
The cache is placed just north of the northern wall of the complex near Prasat Bos Ream (N15), to avoid the muggles who frequently visit Prasat Chrey (N18) and Prasat Ahsram Isay (N17), the two temples directly to the West. This is the only Sambor temple that opens to the West as Hinduism believes that life comes from the East and Death from the West. Prasat Chrey is great looking temple, which not only has been engulfed by a tree but the doorframe is inscribed in ancient Khmer. Prasat Ahsram Isay was the first of the Sambor temples built and is composed entirely of sandstone.
Admission is $3 USD for foreign visitors and free for Khmer.
Be careful of muggles!!! Khmer watch foreigners like a hawk and will take anything they think is of value. As you approach make sure that no one is following or watching you. Children often follow foreigners to sell small gifts. Please no swaps or trackables. Becareful of dangerous animals when caching in Cambodia (e.g. snakes, spiders and scorpions) and either use a glove or stick when feeling around for the cache. As you retrieve the cache you may notice small red ants everywhere even on your feet. These do not bite!!!
Cache was placed with permission and is being maintained by one of the local female tour guides. For a recommendation of a knowledgeable local guide with excellent English please contact us in advance via the GC.com e-mail system.
Small note on cache maintenance: There is a local cache guardian. Name and contact info on file with geocaching.com.