Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Four gopuras of landmark Shiva temple on Thai-Cambodia border damaged: Hindus concerned

2011-02-09
ANI (India)

"Very serious" damage has been caused to four gopuras (towered gateways found at the entrances to temples) of landmark Preah Vihear Shiva temple, according to a Cambodian Government communique.

The communique from the Cambodian Government's National Committee for the World Heritage mentions about: very serious damages to the Gopura I, III, IV, and V of the Temple of Preah Vihear.

Hindus have expressed serious concern at the reported damage. Notable Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that international community, UNESCO, and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) should immediately provide funding to bring back this Lord Shiva temple to its original shape as it was before Thai-Cambodia clashes began February four. These organizations should not shy away to shoulder their responsibility of saving the important heritage of the world and respecting the feelings of Hindus worldwide, Zed added.


Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, welcomed UNESCO statement of sending a mission to the area as soon as possible to "assess the state of the temple". It was a good "first step", Zed said of the UNESCO assessment team, and added that it should dispatch another "repair team" also soon. Besides temple repairs, some infrastructure in the area should also be provided for devotees and other visitors.

Rajan Zed stressed that this landmark age-old and revered Preah Vihear Hindu Shiva temple complex was important to Hindu heritage and must be preserved to pass it on to the future generations. Damage to 11th century Shiva temple was shocking and hurtful to the Hindu community world over. Lord Shiva, one of the major deities in Hinduism forming great triad with Brahma and Vishnu, was focus of worship of the Hindus, and it was important for them that Preah Vihear Hindu Shiva temple be protected. It was a world heritage and it was moral duty of the world to keep it intact for the coming generations.

Known as Preah Vihear in Cambodia and Khao Phra Viharn in Thailand, this remote temple at the border between Thailand and Cambodia, which had reportedly not been clearly demarcated, had been a source of tension for generations. Preah Vihear was said to even predate Cambodia's Angkor Wat temple complex by about 100 years and its stunning setting made it finest of all the ruins left from the mighty Khmer civilization, Zed stated.

Rajan Zed pointed out that world should not let this sacred site dedicated to Lord Shiva (situated where Preah Vihear province of northern Cambodia touched Sisaket province of eastern Thailand) be further damaged to advance political agendas of some as there appeared to be a no clear solution to settle the long-standing territorial dispute surrounding the temple, which was already a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and whose history could be traced to 9th century when the hermitage was founded.

Moreover, Temple of Preah Vihear, an outstanding masterpiece of Khmer architecture mostly created by Suryavarman I and Suryavarman II, was a unique architectural complex of a series of sanctuaries and was said to be exceptional for the quality of its architecture and carved stone ornamentation. It was reportedly dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva in his manifestations as Sikharesvara and Bhadresvara. It was also said to be marking representation of sacred Mount Meru, the abode of the gods, and showing a depiction of Churning of the Ocean, a Hindu scriptural episode, Zed said.


Cambodian Government's Committee describes Preah Vihear as: The site serves as a sacred place worshipping to the Hindu god Shiva manifesting as Sikharesvara (the Lord of Peak) and his figures are depicted on pediments and lintels.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Please keep it quiet your support of Unesco to visit the site. If Thailand hears, they will not happy with you. They are conducting a diplomatic parade to prevent Unesco from visiting the site or need permission from Thai government first before going there.

Anonymous said...

The Khmer soldiers will not afraid to protect the Khmer-Hindu temple with their life and to show their great respect for Hindu religion!

Many great monuments big and small are built in dedication to Hindu God and it is clear evident all over Cambodia even in Thailand and Laos which were once part of Khmer empire!

It is the Siem military thugs who are destroying the Khmer-Hindu temple by firing directly at the temple with mortars and guns and to show their great disrespect for Hindu religion!

Anonymous said...

That is the Win-Win-Strategy policy of Hun Sen against Khmers people, now his pride for your clan is damage Cambodia a lot. If he hear the khmer nationalists we have never problem like this. Every people around the world know prah Vihear belong to Khmer, if Siam do like we protect this issue to UN why he never heard from the other nationalists ?? He fight now against Thailand but how is Cambodian airspace, who prevent for us? Airspace thailand has full control because they have satalite knowing all position of khmer military and civilian move, even the the phone by GPS.

Against Khmer own people you are strong enough but foreigner Siam NO.
You don't what you just doing to kill Khmer poor people ????

Anonymous said...

If you, Hindus, want to protect Hindu temples, you must support us, Khmers, and provide us your most powerful weapons.

Khmer Israel said...

What does Lord Shiva has to say concerning his "glorious" temple dedicated to him?

The people that trust in him are defending his 'past' dwelling place, but does he himself have any say what is being done to his temple?

Israel had a temple dedicated to their God. God did manifest his presence at the dedication that validated his acceptation of the peoples effort. But he made it known to them that he does not dwell in temple made by hands of men. God made it clear to them that the heavens of heaven could not contain him let alone this earthly temple.

He also made it known to Israel if they forsake his ways and truth that God would also forsake his holy temple that was dedicated to his Name to dwell there.

The Jewish Temple was destroyed twice because of Israel disobedience to God's Torah. But a third Temple will be rebuild on the same sight in the Millennium Kingdom of Christ on earth. When that came to be, all nations will be required to come up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord of host. If they disobey there will not be rain on their land.

Anonymous said...

Preah Vihear Temple has been destroyed many times throughout the centuries by Siamese invader. In the 20th century of 1960s, they had a brief war over the temple with Khmer, and 21th century they did again. All khmer should realize that Preah Vihear is a wake-up call for all of us to be united and be strong as one nation. Stop criticize each other.

Anonymous said...

sue the son of the bitch thieves siem for invading cambodia and for provoking cambodia and so forth! don't let them get away!

Anonymous said...

Khmer Israel,

Keep having delusions about your Christ and your Jerusalem!

Don't worry, I don't mind not having any rain if you so-called god can stop it from falling down onto earth!

I won't go to Jerusalem at all and there will be many other people who won't go there to see your god either, much less worship him.

Your god only exists in your delusional mind. I am waiting for him to come down or come up from wherever he is.

A man who feels no need for god.

Anonymous said...

To KHMER ISRAEL 12:37 AM,
Are you alright ? what school did you go to ? who are your parents ? I strongly think that your parents are NOT KHMER, and you have gotten yourself in the Cambodian Worlds.
Praying that your LORD or GOD will bless you with speed recovery !
I am KHMER HINDU

Anonymous said...

There are more than
one billion Brahman in India and some more hundred million
around the world should protest against Thai that destroyed Shiva God and other Gods on top of the Dangrek
mountains.Khmer needs your help.
Maybe,one day Khmer
will believe in Brahma.
Thai must pay the
price of damaged
building.

Anonymous said...

Moreover, Temple of Preah Vihear, an outstanding masterpiece of Khmer architecture mostly created by Suryavarman I and Suryavarman II, was a unique architectural complex of a series of sanctuaries and was said to be exceptional for the quality of its architecture and carved stone ornamentation.

"Khmer architecture": not Thai or Siam architecture ? Very surprising in deed ! Please Thai politicians take this in account and go back to your pussies, instead of disturbing real educated and honest people, ok ?

Anonymous said...

Thailand should pay for all the repairs.