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Founded by King Ponyea Yat in the 15th
century, Wat Botum, located south of the royal palace, is one of the original
pagodas of Phnom Penh. It is also
known as the ‘Temple of the Lotus Blossoms' because the original site
was a small island surrounded by a lotus-filled pond. Its current name
dates from 1865. The large
green and yellow statues at the entrance to the pagoda represent
naga, a legendary snake which inhabits the subterranean kingdom
and has the ability to change into human form. |
This
temple, favoured by the Royal family, is the centre of the Thammayut sect
of Buddhism in Cambodia and is home to one of the country's two
supreme patriarchs, the Venerable Ghosananda. The decorated stupas
in the temple compound contain ashes of members of the royal family
and important dignitaries of the town.
The walls and ceilings of the temple building are decorated with
splendid paintings of important events in the life of the Lord Buddha. |
