Today, I climbed two mountains, and one of them was to visit the underwater carvings at a height of 1500 meters above sea level. These carvings are located at the source of the Siem Reap River - Kbal Spean. It takes approximately 1 hour by car from Siem Reap city center and then about 40 minutes of hiking along a mountain trail to reach there.
These ruins originate from the early beliefs of the Khmer Empire, which were rooted in Hinduism. The paintings and decorations not only closely relate to Hindu mythology but also incorporate the significance of fertility worship. Kbal Spean, considered the sacred place of origin for the Khmer Empire, is a focal point for fertility worship.
During the 11th to 13th centuries, the people of Angkor carved thousands of Linga, which were protruding objects representing the phallus of the god Shiva, as well as Yoni, symbolizing the female genitalia, on the riverbed upstream. The river flowing through Linga and Yoni was believed to harmonize the masculine and feminine energies, creating life and sustaining all living things.