Preah Theat Teuk Chha – Historic Riverside Temple

Preah Theat Teuk Chhar is a historic temple complex located in Thmo Da village, Beung Nay commune, and Thmei village, Krouch commune of Prey Chhar district, about 39 kilometers from Kampong Cham town. 

The site can be reached via National Road 7, followed by a provincial road and a final stretch along a canal trail.

History & Foundation

The temples were founded in AD 1005, during the reign of King Suryavarman I, following a proposal by his royal adviser Chung Chheal (also known as Leaksintra). 

The king granted both land and financial support for the project, while Leaksintra skillfully encouraged local people to contribute funds as well. The chosen site, known as Sithiborya, became not only a religious center but also the heart of a new settlement.

Over time, a bustling town developed around the temples. A golden Shiva lingam was enshrined in the sacred pond called Leaksintrada, and the growing community attracted wealthy families and villagers from surrounding areas. In AD 1025, King Suryavarman I personally attended the inauguration of the town, gifting soldiers, rice fields, and ornaments for the temples. In honor of its architect, he named the site Leaksintrabot.

Architecture & Design

The complex once contained an extraordinary 551 temples and shrines, reflecting the religious diversity of successive Khmer rulers. Some kings practiced Brahmanism, others Mahayana Buddhism, and later rulers Theravada Buddhism, resulting in a rare blend of iconography and architecture.

One temple enshrines a Shiva lingam named Sreipatresvara, flanked by statues of Paramesvara and Sarasvata. Another cave-like sanctuary lies along a canal near a waterfall, though today only a single stone doorway survives, covered by vegetation. The sacred pond of Leaksintrada, once home to a golden lingam, served as the spiritual heart of the site. Numerous shrines contained statues of heroes and deities, underscoring the site’s role as both a religious and cultural center.

Though wars and time have left many of the temples in ruins, restoration efforts continue. Some structures have been rebuilt, replacing fragile wood and tile with concrete, while monks and archaeologists search for foundations to guide future reconstruction.

Cultural Significance

Preah Theat Teuk Chhar is more than a collection of ruins; it is a living symbol of Khmer spiritual and cultural resilience. Built under the direct patronage of King Suryavarman I, the site reflects the close relationship between monarchy, religion, and community. The coexistence of Brahmanism, Mahayana, and Theravada traditions here makes it a rare example of Cambodia’s evolving faiths layered upon one sacred ground.

Its construction was also a collaborative effort between the king and ordinary people, turning it into a shared legacy that continues to hold meaning for local communities. Beyond its religious role, the site also embodies national memory, with statues commemorating fallen heroes linking it to Cambodia’s broader historical struggles.