lechua photography

From Roluos Group, we continue on our full-day Outlying Adventure Tour to Kbal Spean. Kbal Spean literally meaning ‘Headwater Bridge’ is named after a natural stone formation resembling a bridge across the Kbal Spean river (a tributary of Siem Reap river that rises from the Kulen Mountain, through Siem Reap and into Tonle Sap lake).  It is located 50km from Siem Reap (18km north of Banteay Srei).

carvings near the natural bridge at Kbal Spean

Although not a temple, entry to Kbal Spean requires an Angkor temple pass. Entry is not allowed after 3pm and it takes about 40 minutes to hike up a 1.5km trail to the bridge and then downstream to the waterfall.

        at the start of the trail                              the rocky path midway

The highlight of Kbal Spean is the carvings of sculptures of hindu gods and creatures on the river bed. The stretch of lingas carved from the bridge, downstream to a waterfall, is known as the river of a thousand lingas. The linga is the symbolic image of a phallus and a representation of God Shiva’s supreme essence. It is often in the form of a mounted pedestal or a pillar (as seen at Lolei); however at Kbal Spean its appearance is in the form of raised discs from the river bed. A group of linga around a yoni (the equivalent of the female organ) can also be spotted along the river.

Reclining Vishnu supported by a multi-headed naga floating on the Ocean of Milk, with Brahma on a lotus. Lakshmi (Vishnu’s wife) is seen massaging his feet – however part of her figure has been hacked away by looters.

water gushing at a carving of Lakshmi on another tableau of the reclining Vishnu

a huge linga on the riverbed (the water level of the river depends on the season)

some of the 1000 lingas on the way downstream

a group of linga inside a yoni

the waterfall

After Kbal Spean we head towards our next stop, Banteay Srei.