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married a Naga Princess Soma from power struggle between these two and the
the Cambodian island. She was the first local royalty and finally Buddhism won
monarch of Cambodia as well as the first - and stayed on till now despite having
female leader as the consort of Kaundinya. different factions. Even today Buddhism is
There are many legends and variations the most prominent. There are few Hindus,
on how the two met… but all confirm but the monuments, culture and artefacts
their marriage, including some Chinese have survived and are respectfully looked
texts. Most accounts undoubtedly reflect after and maintained.
historical events from the 1st Century AD Incidentally it give me a very good and
relating to the process of Indianisation, the proud feeling to see that the Archaeological
influx of Indian religion, folklore, political Survey of India is now helping restore,
and legal theories and other cultural reconstruct, renovate and maintain the
elements brought by Indians into Southeast temple monuments even the Buddhist ones.
Asia. During a visit to India in 1955, the All the massive structures and monuments
Cambodian statesman Norodom Sihanouk are loosely grouped as Angkor Wat.
had said “We (India and Cambodia) are The magnificent Angkor Wat - Heritage
cousins, Khmer civilisation is the child of Humanity and World Wonder is an
of India’s civilisation, and we are proud exotic tourist destination listed as the 7th
of it.” His wife Norodom Monineath has Wonder of the World. This majestic temple
worked hard to popularise the story of continues to amaze and delight visitors.
Preah Thong and Neang Neak – the Khmer In the region during the 6th and 7th
names for Kaundinya and Soma, through Centuries there were many waring states
a dance drama which is performed across who had dynastic rivalries and eventually
the world by the Royal Ballet of Cambodia. disintegrated. The region was later
The Cambodians believe that the Khmers united in the 8th Century CE under King
were the direct descendants of these two - Jayavarman II (802-850) who established
Kaundinya and Soma. the whole thing up when he built one of his
Since then Hinduism was introduced and residences on the plateau of Kulen, and the
thrived as more and more people adopted famous Angkorian period began. At the
it. Indians were welcomed in Cambodia beginning of the 9th century the Angkorian
as they went in large numbers for trade, kings set up their capital near modern day
taking with them lots and lots of gold, Siem Reap and for 600 years they built
hence a thriving trade was established. one temple after another each grander than
Hinduism is known as the oldest religion in the last. Two hundred such big and small
the world and this way of life was so strong temples survive today, spread over a 400
that it was adopted by adjoining regions. In square kilometres.
Cambodia are many temples that date back These magnificent temples around Siem
to the 10th and 12th Century. Reap were abandoned centuries ago by the
After Hinduism, Buddhism also travel Khmer kingdom and are now surrounded
to Cambodia from India. There were by lush green forests – with huge trees
many factions in both these religions due growing on the monuments. TA PROHM
to different ideologies, soon they started particularly is so amazing that a Hollywood
fighting for power. It was a three sided movie of 2001 - TOMB RAIDER was shot
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #54 | DECEMBER 2023 33
