PHNOM SANTUK
Beautiful mountain views, rocky sandstone subsoil, representations of Buddha attaining nirvana, Brahman sculptures.
The rocky subsoil is formed of sandstone. This stone, easy to work, has been used by artists for centuries. A Brahmanic sanctuary was once built on the summit, but it was replaced in the second half of the 15th century by a Buddhist pagoda of the Small Vehicle. One goes up to the top of Phnom Santuk by an easy way on the southern slope to then skirt the line of crest. On the plateau, large sandstone blocks have been carved with ritual representations of Buddha, meditating in the forest, teaching his doctrine, surrounded by his disciples and reaching nirvana. This last attitude of eternal rest is visible in three bas-reliefs about ten meters long. Some Brahmanic sculptures, respected by Buddhists, still remain. Among these, three superimposed registers can be noted. In the highest one, one can see a god on a celestial throne carried by garudas as well as a deity with multiple arms sitting on an elephant. Nearby, a 3-meter high stupa houses a Buddha relic brought from Ceylon in the 15th century. An ancient brick wall surrounds the vihara, whose eastern entrance is guarded by lions. In front of this monastery, a carved footprint of Buddha in the style of Adam's Peak in Ceylon. Further east, a rectangular basin of 10 m cut in the rock. From the top of Phnom Santuk, a beautiful view of the vast plains to the southeast, up to the relief of Phnom Tuk Meas. In one of the recent buildings one can see a collection of ancient pottery.
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Pour changer un peu, on peut redescendre à pied par la route (2,5km).