Posts Tagged "mythical deities"

APAD 216: Heavenly apsara

Posted by The Insider on Jan 27, 2014 in A Photo a Day, Addicted to Meme, Cambodia life, Cycle 2, Expat Life, sights, That's My World, travel, What's On in Cambodia | 1 comment

This is another photo of an apsara. Long time ago, I watched a production of the Cambodian version of Ramayana. It was unbelievable!

And there she emerges… all bathed in (yellow) light, looking so ethereal.

APAD 164: Heavenly dancers

Posted by The Insider on Jul 24, 2013 in A Photo a Day, Addicted to Meme, All things Khmer, Apsaras and Devatas, Cambodia life, sights, That's My World, What's On in Cambodia | 2 comments

Apsaras are beautiful, supernatural (females) beings that are superb in dancing. Images of apsaras are found prominently carved on ancient Angkorian temples, particularly the Angkor Wat.

APAD 133: Neak ta shrine

Posted by The Insider on May 14, 2013 in A Photo a Day, Addicted to Meme, All things Khmer, Cambodia life, Cycle 2, Expat Life, sights, That's My World, travel, What's On in Cambodia | 6 comments

This is just one of the 1001 reasons for expats and local tourists to explore Cambodia!

If you like exploring and are an adventurous type, do not miss out on going out on road trips. You’ll surely discover a lot of interesting things about Cambodia and its culture.

This neak ta shrine is one of the multitudes you will find in the country but they represent many differeting things. This one we found was just an hour away from the capital Phnom Penh, in the same area as Wat Phnom Prasith.

Cambodians believe in ancestor spirits called neak ta.
Neak tas are spirits who watch over and guard people, places (particularly forests), and things. They are believed to possess some kind of a supernatural power.

Shrines are built for the neak tas and contain objects that represent the four elements – earth, wind, water, and fire. According to local beliefs, the villagers take turn in keeping the shrine in order, making sure the shrine is clean and offerings of lotus flowers and lit incense are offered daily. Should they fail to do so, the neak ta will punish them or their entire village.

In the same manner, the villagers strive to act their best so as not to anger the neak ta. If not, misfortune and sickness will befall them and/or the entire village. Visitors, both local and foreign, are also expected to conduct themselves properly when visiting the shrine and within the vicinity. Otherwise, they will also not escape the wrath of an angry neak ta.

APAD 121: Suosdei Choul Chnnam Thmey!

Posted by The Insider on Apr 18, 2013 in A Photo a Day, Addicted to Meme, All things Khmer, Cambodia, Cambodia life, Cycle 2, Expat Life, sights, Signs of Times, That's My World, What's On in Cambodia | 6 comments

… Happy New Year.

Yes. We just celebrated the Cambodian New Year over the weekend, April 14-16 to be precise. It is a three-day celebration, according to the lunar calendar. It is also a celebration of the end of the harvest season. Hence, it is a colourful, festive and fun celebration.

This year, we welcomed New Year on the early hours of Saturday (2amish). Drumbeats and prayers from the wats (temples) ushered the New Year as well as the new Thevadas (see photo). In Buddhism, they are sort of angels, if you like, who’ve come to replace the old ones guarding the Earth.

To know more about the festive Khmer New Year, please click this link.

APAD 111: Temple guardian

Posted by The Insider on Apr 2, 2013 in A Photo a Day, Addicted to Meme, All things Khmer, Cambodia life, Cycle 2, sights, That's My World, travel, What's On in Cambodia | 3 comments

I’ve always been fascinated by different mythical creatures and deities and living here in Cambodia doesn’t disappoint. These creatures are present in Khmer culture.

This is a temple guardian called, or a dvarapala. And it’s only one of the many other dvarapalas that adorn in most Khmer temples. Another kind of dvarapala is found here.