#india #cambodia #cambodian #lordshiva #shivling #shivalingam #shivalinga #jaimahakal #jaibholenath #harharmahadev #kedarnath #karnataka #sirsi #angkor #angkorwat #khmer #cambodia🇰🇭 #india🇮🇳 Have you ever heard of the enchanting Sahasralinga pilgrimage sites, not just in Sirsi, Karnataka, but also in a distant city of Siem Reap, Cambodia? Isn’t it intriguing to find the same spiritual symbol, the Sahasralinga, separated by a vast distance of 5000 kilometres?
Sahasralinga, the term literally translating to ‘1000 Shiva Lingas’, is fascinatingly found in these two places dedicated to Lord Shiva. Nestled in the heart of River Shalmala in Sirsi, Karnataka, the first site is a significant religious centre showcasing 1000 Lingas carved along the river banks. These were historically installed by Sadashivaraya, the Vijayanagar Kingdom’s ruler, between 1678 and 1718. Each linga uniquely features Nandikeshwar at its front.
Intriguingly, a similar site is hidden in Cambodia’s wilderness, 25 kilometres from Angkor Wat, the largest Hindu temple outside India. The site, Kbal Spean or ‘the Head Bridge’, hosts numerous Lingas amidst a river. Unlike its Indian counterpart, it isn’t a holy site but rather an intriguing tourist spot, difficult to access due to the surrounding wilds.
Historically, kings would visit for a sacred bath, but the creators and their intentions remain a mystery. The locals believe these Lingas symbolize creative energy, and the river water flowing over them enhances the fertility of Cambodian paddy fields. Interestingly, these Sahasra Lingas survived the civil war due to the protecting forest, while many Hindu symbols were destroyed.
Isn’t it intriguing to ponder the mysteries of these two Sahasralinga sites, separated by continents yet bound by the same spiritual symbol?

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