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Wat Phnom is heart of Phnom Penh. It became an important religious site since Daun Penh, a wealthy widow who lived in the west bank of Chrap Chheam River (Tonle Sap River), found five Buddha statues in the hole of Koki trunks which were floating on the water to stuck at Daun Penh high land. Then, in AD 1372, Daun Penh ordered people to pile up earth at northeast her house and used those trunks to build up a temple on the hill to keep the five Buddha statues; since then the temple was named as Wat Phnom Daun Penh (Wat Phnom).
After decline of Angkor in the 14th and early 15th century because of political crisis and the aggression from a new powerful state—Siem, the capital city had been move from Angkor to Tuol Bassan (AD 1431) and then to Chaktomouk (AD 1432)—now Phnom Penh, in which Wat Phnom is located. After that date Wat Phnom became the most important religious site for Khmer Kingdom. Even though the Chaktomouk had been abandoned from AD 1505 to 1865, this site still remained its own importance. Since king Norodom moved the city from Udong back to Chaktomouk, the word “Phnom Daun Penh” was derived to rename Chaktomouk City as “Phnom Penh”; and Wat Phnom have become the heart of capital city again.
Today Wat Phnom is one of the most important tourist destinations in Phnom Penh for both locals and foreigners. Local Cambodians believe that Wat Penh is a very sacred religious site. They always come here to pray for lucks, and they believe that their wish always become true. Because decorations and new constructions, Wat Phnom is a beautiful place with many tall trees surrounding; these trees are the home of hundreds of monkeys and bats. |
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