One characteristic feature of many Khmer temples is that they are built on natural or artificial mounds, although there are only very few prototypes of such "temple mountains" in India, the sacred architecture of which has been paradigmatic for Khmer art in so many other relevant aspects. However, there are remarkable examples of temple buildings on tiered pyramids on the neighbouring South Asian sucontinent as well. Particularly, in the historical royal cities of Nepal's Kathmandu Valley, temples and pagodas on steep stepped mounts are a quite common pattern of sacred architecture, though moderate in size when compared to Khmer temples on tiered terraces.
In a sense, the natural mountains of Nepal are the origin of the Khmer temple mound, as the latter is intended to represent Mount Meru, the mythical mountain of the gods believed to be in the Himalayas. Actually, worshipping on hills had probably been a traditional practice in many ancient Southeast Asian cultures even prior to the advent of elements of Indian religions and arts. But undoubtedly, the symbolism of temples in Cambodia (and in Myanmar and on the islands of Java and Bali as well) has been referring to the sacred mountains of the Himalayas ever since the introduction of Hinduism and Buddhism in the first half of the first millennium C.E.
In a sense, the natural mountains of Nepal are the origin of the Khmer temple mound, as the latter is intended to represent Mount Meru, the mythical mountain of the gods believed to be in the Himalayas. Actually, worshipping on hills had probably been a traditional practice in many ancient Southeast Asian cultures even prior to the advent of elements of Indian religions and arts. But undoubtedly, the symbolism of temples in Cambodia (and in Myanmar and on the islands of Java and Bali as well) has been referring to the sacred mountains of the Himalayas ever since the introduction of Hinduism and Buddhism in the first half of the first millennium C.E.
Baksei Chamkrong Temple in Angkor, Cambodia
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Siddhi Laxmi Temple at Durbar Square in Bhaktapur, Nepal
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Whenever you will be interested to see the ancient temples of the World Heritage Site "Valley of Kathmandu" (including the former royal cities of Patan and Bhaktapur), maybe you then remember we recommend to check the "Discover Kathmandu" 3-nights / 4-days tour.package. Or you can contact Santu, mail: [email protected], phone: ++977 9856055566.
Further Cultural one-day trips and longer multi-day round tours in various regions of Nepal, some packages including safaris in the Terai lowlands and hiking in the Himalaya mountains, are available with Apex Nepal Treks & Tours Pvt Ltd, too. Not surprisingly, the Kathmandu-based company is otherwise specialised on expeditions and trekking.
Further Cultural one-day trips and longer multi-day round tours in various regions of Nepal, some packages including safaris in the Terai lowlands and hiking in the Himalaya mountains, are available with Apex Nepal Treks & Tours Pvt Ltd, too. Not surprisingly, the Kathmandu-based company is otherwise specialised on expeditions and trekking.
location of the Kathmandu office of Apex Nepal Treks & Tours Pvt Ltd: Amrit Marg & Bhagawan Bahal Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Nepal is a beautiful country in South Asia, in between India and China (Tibet). Nepal has unique geological as well as biological diversities. The lowest point is 60m high above the sea level and it goes all the way high up to 8848m above sea level, the highest point on our planet. The capital city of Nepal is Kathmandu with a population of 3 million people. The country has several beautiful towns such as Pokhara, Chitwan, Bardia, Lumbini etc. in a lower altitude and Namche, Ghandruk, Jomsom, Manang etc. in higher elevation. The people in Nepal are very friendly, helpful and with an ever smiling face. People here do believe “Guest is a form of God”, so they respect and welcome them with a warm heart.
"Apex Nepal Treks & Tours” is a guide-owned company in Nepal, organizing best Trekking, Tours, Expeditions and many other adventurous activities in Nepal. (more…)
"Apex Nepal Treks & Tours” is a guide-owned company in Nepal, organizing best Trekking, Tours, Expeditions and many other adventurous activities in Nepal. (more…)
Pokhara at Phewa Lake in Nepal
