Discover Religion And History At The Silver Pagoda

Located adjacent to the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Silver Pagoda is a compound featuring the royal temple which is also known as Wat Preah Keo. As a result this place has become a religious site where national treasures such as the gold and silver statues of Lord Buddha are housed. The small 17th century Emerald Buddha statue and the life sized "Maitreeya" Buddha statue are the prominent regalia found within the limits of this unique place. Though earlier known as the temple of the Emerald Buddha, this sacred structure was later known as the Silver Pagoda due to its transformation from wood to over 5000 silver marbles that currently decorates the temple building. These silver marbles are found out to be weighing more than 6 tonness.

The compound of Silver Pagoda consists of several buildings where the main edifice is the temple followed by other structures that include shrines, monuments, library and galleries of royal regalia. The courtyard of the temple is encircled by a covered walkway with a close by fresco depicting Cambodia's history and mythology.

The other buildings are named as "Dammasala" which works as an open hall for Buddhist monks to recite texts, Keong Preah Bath which contain the shrines of Lord Buddha’s footprints, Statue of HM King Norodom, Stupa of HM King Ang Doung, Stupa of Princess Kantha Bopha, and Stupa of HM King Suramarit and HM Queen Kossomak. On the southern end of the complex, visitors will find a small hill covered in vegetation, which is a model of the sacred Mount Meru. Unlike the Royal Palace, which is closed for public, Silver Pagoda is open for public view daily from 8 am to 11am and 2.30pm to 5pm.

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