The Khmer Empire founded by Khmer prince, Jayavarman II, has gone through many kings, atrocities and names in its war ravaged history – Kambuja, Kampuchea, Cambodge to the Kingdom of Cambodia as we know it today. Jayavarman II made it the most dominant civilisation in mainland Southeast Asia from the 9th to the mid-15th century, and he is widely regarded as the king that set the foundation of the Angkor period in Cambodian history, beginning with the grandiose consecration ritual he conducted in 802 on Mount Mahendraparvata, now known as Phnom Kulen, wherein he was proclaimed a universal monarch – Kamraten jagad ta Raja in Khmer or God King.
The most remarkable legacy of the Khmer empire is the ancient archaeological wonder, the Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Angkor Wat temple was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II, in the first half of the 12th century, around the year 1110-1150 CE, as his state temple and eventual mausoleum. Built almost 900 years ago in the Khmer architectural style of temple mountain and galleried temple, Angkor Wat, one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, took over 30 years to build and it is the largest religious site in the world, measuring over 400 acres. Dedicated to the Hindu God Vishnu initially, it was gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the century and considered a Hindu-Buddhist temple thereon.
History, religions and temple statistics aside, the Khmer people are the happiest and kindest in the world, despite what they went through in the annals of history. It is no wonder that Angelina Jolie loves Cambodia and adopted the country that changed her life the minute she stepped into the energy fields of the Khmer people back in 2000 whilst shooting for Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. What better way to know how wonderful and lovely the Khmers are than visit their country, starting with Siem Reap, and experience their genuine smiles under the spiritual sun yourself?
Here is a list of the How To’s to plan a trip to Cambodia from India:
VISA:
The Kingdom of Cambodia offers a Visa On Arrival for Indian tourists with a valid Indian passport for $30 at the Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville international airports. The Single Entry visa is valid for a month from the date of arrival into the country. It takes five minutes to procure the visa at the Siem Reap International airport. You can also apply for an E visa on the Kingdom of Cambodia’s website: https://www.evisa.gov.kh/
FLIGHTS:
There are no direct flights to Cambodia from India as of August 2023. The only way to fly to Cambodia from India is on Singapore Airlines with a short layover of an hour at Changi Airport or via Bangkok on multiple Indian and international airlines that also include airport changes. India has direct flights to nine of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries comprising of Thailand, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Myanmar, except Cambodia. Cambodian ambassador to India, Koy Kuong, stated on August 26th, 2023 that a direct flight from New Delhi to Cambodia is on the cards in early 2024.
CURRENCY:
The Cambodian Riel (KHR) is the national currency of Cambodia, but the United States Dollar (USD) is widely used in the country. When you transact in dollars, be prepared to receive change in KHR almost every time.
TIME DIFFERENCE:
Cambodia is 1 hour and 30 minutes ahead of Indian Standard Time. The time difference will hit you, and real hard, when you wake up at 4AM in Siem Reap, which is 2:30AM in India to go see the Angkor Wat at sunrise, on foot.
LANGUAGES:
People speak Khmer and English in Cambodia.
CLIMATE:
Barring the winter season that runs from November to February, Cambodia’s 32°C feels like 42°C especially when you’re walking for 45 minutes under the blue skies to get to the entrance of the temples and then climbing up precariously uneven and steep steps to go inside them.
GETTING AROUND:
The remorks or tuktuks and bicycles are the best way to get around in Cambodia, especially in Siem Reap, with chilled coolers holding cold water and face towels handed to you by friendly drivers.
CUISINE:
Delicious Khmer cuisine and every kind of food from around the world. From vegan to vegetarian to gourmet to street to patisseries, Cambodia has it all, in particular Siem Reap.
CAMBODIAN FLAG:
Out of all 195 countries in the world, Cambodia is the only one that features a building on their flag – the Angkor Wat symbolizing justice, integrity, and heritage.
I will write about the places to eat and stay, and the temples and things to do in Siem Reap subsequently.
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Rubina A Khan 