Kbal Spean
Kbal Spean (Khmer: ក្បាលស្ពាន, Kbal Spéan [kɓaːl spiən]; lit. 'Bridge Head') is an Angkorian-era archaeological site on the southwest slopes of the Kulen Hills to the northeast of Angkor in Banteay Srei District, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia. It is situated along a 150m stretch of the Stung Kbal Spean River, 25 kilometres (16 mi) from the main Angkor group of monuments, which lie downstream.
| Kbal Spean | |
|---|---|
ក្បាលស្ពាន | |
Lingas and sculptures of Hindu gods and waterfall at Kbal Spean | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Siem Reap |
| Province | Siem Reap |
| Deity | Shiva and Vishnu |
| Location | |
| Location | Angkor |
| Country | Cambodia |
Location in Cambodia | |
| Geographic coordinates | 13°42′30.1″N 104°1′32.1″E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Bapuon architecture |
| Creator | King Suryavarman I and King Udayadityavarman II |
| Completed | 11th to 12th centuries |
| Monument(s) | One |
The site consists of a series of stone rock relief carvings in sandstone formations of the river bed and banks. It is commonly known as the "Valley of a 1000 Lingas" or "The River of a Thousand Lingas". The motifs for stone carvings are mainly myriads of lingams (phallic symbol of Hindu god Shiva), depicted as neatly arranged bumps that cover the surface of a sandstone bed rock, and lingam-yoni designs. There are also various Hindu mythological motifs, including depictions of the gods Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Lakshmi, Rama, and Hanuman, as well as animals (cows and frogs).