Since the ancient time to the present, Phnom Santuk Mountain has been called in many names as below:
- Phnom Thom (in history)
- Phnom Arth Santuk (In history)
- Phnom Chorm Chong Kiri
- Phnom Krop Tuk
- Phnom Preah Bat Chann Tuk
The ancient heritages on the top of the mountain:
- Many Buddha statues were carved from great mountain rock including three big Buddha statues reaching Nirvana, each has more than 10-meter length.
- Prasat Touch of pyramid shape, made of sandstone, has three stories and three-meter height, and is located next to the ancient wooden temple (presently, it is made of cement) with a rectangular pond (10m x 4m).
- Preah Bat Chann Tuk statue was carved on the stone shaped as food of a sacred human, and there are many other small sculptures. By the stories, the construction and the statues were erected during the reign of Preah Ponhea Dharma Reacha (1474-1494) and have been maintained until now.
Phnom Santuk has changed names to Chorn Chong Kiri and Phnom Krop Tuk. Chan Dare or Chan Chare are called two pieces of stone by local people that join all together in marked symbol and made in small hole, the passenger arrived there, they always dropped cash coins (ancient coins) into this small hole. When cash coins was dropped in, it make soft weak voice like a voice of the birds sing or music with happiness. So they did that since ancient period.
Phnom Santuk is a hill and cultural site in the Cambodian province of Kampong Thom. Located in Ko Koh village, Ko Koh commune, Santuk District, it is the most sacred mountain of the province. The summit is accessed by a stone pathway with many statues flanking the way. At the top is a white-walled temple and many shrines and deities, including several reclining Buddhas made out of rock,[1] measuring more than 33 feet (10 m) in length.[2] Monks inhabit the site.
Geography
Phnom Santuk is a hill of 679 feet (207 m) elevation, which rises above the Tonlé Sap river valley. The summit can be reached either by climbing 809 steps,[2] or via a paved road, 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) in length.[1] Vistas of Tonlé Sap valley can be observed from the peak, with sunset views over the rice fields considered to be a major tourist attraction.[3] Phnom Srah Kmao, located next to Phnom Tantuk, contains a brick temple and bat cave.[4]
Features
There are many Buddha images and pagodas enshrined along the way to the peak. New wats in prasat style are under construction near the hilltop. Nagas (serpent figures) and dragons are carved in profusion on these wats. Below the southern peak, at the base of the trees, there are many reclining Buddhas, some carved in rock in the earlier times and a few others are made of concrete in recent times. The multi-storied Chinese pagoda has a number of figurines made in porcelain.[1] A panirvana sculpture, carved in rock of Buddha of the Theravada Buddhism period, dates to the sixteenth century. It is similar to the one found carved on a boulder in Prea Ang Thong, and is also seen in the holy hill of Phnom Santuk.[5] Nature-based tourism is available at the Phnom Santuk Resort.[6]
Culture
The protector deity of the mountain is known as Neak ta Kraham Ka, who lived during the feudal period of Kompong Thong, under the feudal ruler Decho Borara’a Thipadei Meas. Phnom Santuk is a pilgrimage site.[5] Worship is offered in the wats on the hill and there are seven monks who perform this service; Preah Thamma Vipassana Kong served as chief monk in the late 18th century.
