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Kbal Spean

Approaching the Mountain

Approaching the Mountain

Bridge

Bridge

Entwined Tree

Entwined Tree

Jungle Path

Jungle Path

Stairway

Stairway

River Running over the Lingams

River Running over the Lingams

Lingams Carved into the Living Rock

Lingams Carved into the Living Rock

Water Rushing over the Lingams

Water Rushing over the Lingams

Submerged Lingams

Submerged Lingams

Submerged Yoni with Five Lingams

Submerged Yoni with Five Lingams

Lotuses

Lotuses

Mossy Sculptures

Mossy Sculptures

Reclining Vishnu

Reclining Vishnu

Vishnu

Vishnu

Unidentified Face

Unidentified Face

Unidentified Face

Unidentified Face

Vishnu and Lakshmi

Vishnu and Lakshmi

Vishnu with Lingams near the Bridge (looted)

Vishnu with Lingams near the Bridge (looted)

Vishnu with Lakshmi (looted)

Vishnu with Lakshmi (looted)

Brahma

Brahma


Panoramic View (4:1) of the River with the main Yoni and Five Lingams

 

Map of Kbal SpeanKbal Spean is situated about 50 km north of the main Angkor site, farther along the road past Banteay Srei, and up into the hills. The main sculptures were carved into the rocks and river bed of a tributary of the Siem Reap river during the reign of Udayadityavarman II. The cultural artifacts in their natural surroundings give the site a unique ambience, and the carvings seem to have been made to fit in with their surroundings.

On the rocks around the river are figures from Hindu Mythology: reclining images of Vishnu dreaming the world into existence, with Lakshmi, his consort alongside; Siva and Uma on the bull Nandi; and a beautiful representation of the Four-Headed Brahma lying in the waters near the top of the site. Along the river bed are carved many Lingams and yonis, evidently intending to make the river wash over with blessings as it makes its way down to the main settlement at Angkor.