1000 Shivlingas of India and Cambodia-Faturing Khal Spean

People must be aware of the famous Sahasralinga pilgrimage in the town of Sirsi, Karnataka but
did you know that there is another Sahasralinga in Cambodia too? Yes, you read that correct!
Siem Reap, a lovely city in Cambodia is the place where you can witness Sahasralinga which
when translated means 1000 Shiva Lingas. These 1000 lingas are carved at both the places and
are dedicated to the Hindu God, Lord Shiva.

About Sahasralinga in Sirsi, Karnataka

So this place is one of the prime pilgrimage centres in the country and is situated in the centre of
the River Shalmala in the town of is Sirsi. The place is known for its 1000 Shiva Lingas that are
carved on the rocks along the banks of the Shalmala. As far as history is concerned, there 1000
lingas were installed by the ruler Sadashivaraya of the Vijayanagar Kingdom sometime between
1678 and 1718. The unique thing about these are that each linga features a carving of Nandi, the
bull right in front.

Every year, on the pious occasion of Maha Shivratri, devotees from across the country visit the
place to perform Shiva puja. The place looks truly mysterious and gorgeous too at the same time
when you get to see so many lingas together playing hide and seek with the river waters. None of
these lingas come in the same shape or size. Given the force of river water, some of these lingas
have gone bad and some are dislodged or completely disfigured. Those who wish to witness this
miracle, it is suggested to visit the place only when the water level is low. Because otherwise, the
lingas remain underwater so that the carvings are clearly visible.
PILGRIMAGE: Sahasralinga is a pilgrimage place, located around 14 km from the Sirsi Taluk
in the district of Uttara Kannada of Karnataka state in India. It is in the river Shalmala and is
famous for being the location where around a thousand lingas are carved on rocks in the river
and on its banks.
"Sahasralingeshwara temple in Uppinangady is situated on the banks of the river Netravati and
Kumaradhara, where thousand lingas are found. The story goes like: After Kurukshetra war,
Krishna suggests Pandavas to get "Pushpa Mruga" to hold Rajasooryadwara Yaga.Bheema
dashed to "Mahendragiri" to fetch it.On the way he meets Hanuman taking rest, which is
stretched on his way.Bheema finds it difficult to cross the tail of Hanuman and requests to
remove the tail. Hanuman asks Bheema to lift tail but he struggles and fails.Later both realised
that both are devine powers.Hanuman comes to know the purpose of Bheem's journey and offers
him hair from his tail for the protection.
Bheem,after reaching Mahendragiri meets pushpamruga and it agrees on a condition that it
would follow him only a "manovega"-speed at which mind moves. Bheem agrees trusting the tail
hair. While leading the animal, whenever Bheem finds he cannot keep the pace with the
animal,he drops a hair.Strangely a "Shivalinga" appears just on the spot and Pushpamruga
proceeds only after worshipping the linga.This gives Bheem sufficient time to adjust his speed.
When they reach the place called "Uppinangady", Bheem finds difficult and drops remaining one
thousand tail hair.
There appears 1000 lingas and by the time animal completes worship,Bheem safely reaches
Yagamantap.Thus it is believed that 1000 Lingas are found in the temple vicinity.One out of
those Lingas found in the middle of the river sand becomes visible in the month of February.
The lingas in Uppinangady are under the river and are natural appearing, not carved.
The Shiva Lingas were built under the patronage of Sadashivarayavarma, king of the Sirsi
kingdom (1678-1718). It is also possible to see many Basava (bulls) which are carved in front of
the Shivalingas.
Linga is a symbol of worship of the Hindu God, Shiva. On the auspicious day
of Mahashivaratri thousands of pilgrims visit Sahasralinga to offer their prayers to Shiva.
Sahasralinga is situated around 14 km from Sirsi. One can travel by personal vehicles as there is
ample parking space at Sahasralinga and is very well maintained.
You can also take public bus travelling from Sirsi to Yellapura and get down at barani. You can
take an auto rickshaw or walk down to Sahasralinga which is 1.5 km from the bus stop.

INDIA CAMBODIA
 KHAL SPIEN
The Cambodian Sahasralinga (also known as Kbal Spean, meaning ‘the Head Bridge’) was
discovered in the year 1969 by Jean Boulbet, an ethnologist. However, because of Cambodian
Civil War, the place was out of reach and it was only after almost 20 years that the place was
declared safe to visit.This magnificent site is now one of the popular tourist centre. The
Cambodian Sahasralinga is about 25 km from Angkor Watt, which is considered the largest
Hindu temple outside of India. Here also there are a thousand carved lingas amidst a river,
however, this place is not considered revered and is only a major tourist spot in Cambodia. Also,
given its ‘into the wild’ status, it’s really difficult to reach.

As far as history is concerned, there is no factual uptdate on when these lingas were carved and
what was the purpose behind. If locals are to be believed, these lingas are symbols of creative
energy. Moreover, they believe that water flowing over lingas will reach paddy fields and make
them more fertile.
Kbal Spean  ("Bridge Head") is an Angkorian era archaeological site on the southwest slopes of
the Kulen Hills to the northeast of Angkor in Banteay srei, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia. It is
situated along a 150m stretch of the Stung Kbal Spean River, 25 kilometres (16 mi) from the
main Angkor group of monuments, which lie downstream.
The site consists of a series of stone rock relief carvings in sandstone formations of the river bed
and banks. It is commonly known as the "Valley of a 1000 Lingas" or "The River of a Thousand
Lingas". The motifs for stone carvings are mainly myriads of lingams (phallic symbol
of Hindu god Shiva), depicted as neatly arranged bumps that cover the surface of a sandstone
bed rock, and lingam-yoni designs. There are also various Hindu mythological motifs, including
depictions of the gods Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Lakshmi, Rama, and Hanuman, as well as
animals (cows and frogs)
It is described as "a spectacularly carved riverbed, set deep in the jungle to the northeast of
Angkor". The river over which the bridge head exists is also known as Stung Kbal Spean, a
tributary of the Siem Reap River that rises in the Kulein mountains north of Banteay Srei. The
river bed cuts through sandstone formations, and the many architectural sculptures of Hindu
mythology have been carved within the sandstone. The archaeological site occurs in a stretch of
the river starting from 150 metres (490 ft) upstream north of the bridge head to the falls
downstream.The river, being sanctified by flowing over the religious sculptures, flows
downstream, bifurcating into the Siem Reap River and Puok River, which eventually flows into
the Tonlé Sap Lake after passing through the plains and the Angkor temple complex.
The archaeological site is in the western part of the Kulein mountains within the Phnom Kulen
National Park. Approach is from the Banteay Srei temple by a road which is about 5 kilometres
(3.1 mi) from an army camp. Thereafter, it is a 40-minute walk through the forest for about 2
kilometres (1.2 mi) uphill along a path before reaching the first site, a water fall, where the
carved sculptures start appearing in the river bed.

India- Sirsalinga Cambodia Kbal Spean

1. History. The Shiva Lingas were built 1. The carving of vestiges began with
under the patronage the reign of King Suryavarman
of Sadashivarayavarma, king of the Sirsi I and ended with the reign of King
kingdom (1678-1718). Udayadityavarman II; these two kings
ruled between the 11th and 12th
2. "Sahasralingeshwara temple in
centuries.
Uppinangady is situated on the banks of the
river Netravati and Kumaradhara, where 2. The 1,000 lingas, are attributed to a
thousand lingas are found.  minister of Suryavarman I during the
11th century,
3. River Netravati
3. carved by hermits who lived in the
area. Inscriptions at the site testify to
the fact that most of the sculpting was
done during the reign of
Udayadityavarman II.
4. It is also mentioned that King
Udayadityavarman II consecrated a
golden ling here in 1059 AD. It is
believed that the Siem Reap River
flowing into Angkor is blessed by the
sacred lingas over which it flows.
5. Siem Reap River

The carving of vestiges began with the reign of King Suryavarman I and ended with the
reign of King Udayadityavarman II; these two kings ruled between the 11th and 12th centuries.
The 1,000 lingas, but not other sculptures, are attributed to a minister of Suryavarman I during
the 11th century, and these were carved by hermits who lived in the area. Inscriptions at the site
testify to the fact that most of the sculpting was done during the reign of Udayadityavarman II. It
is also mentioned that King Udayadityavarman II consecrated a golden ling here in 1059 AD. It
is believed that the Siem Reap River flowing into Angkor is blessed by the sacred lingas over
which it flows.
Suryavarman I’s reign saw great innovations in art and architecture and it is believed that the
sudden change is due to the presence of cholas. His reign lasted some 40 years and he spent
much of that time defending it. Known as the "King of the Just Laws," he consolidated his
political power by inviting some four thousand local officials to the royal palace and swear an
oath of allegiance to him. Suryavarman I favored Buddhism but he allowed the people to
continue practising Hinduism. His palace was situated in the vicinity of Angkor Thom, and he
was the first of the Khmers rulers to protect his palace with a wall.
In the inscription at Tuol Ta Pec, Suryavarman is said to have known of the principles of the
six Vedangas.
Suryavarman I expanded his territory to the west to Lopburi, including the Menam basin
in Thailand, and east into the Mekong basin.
Suryavarman probably started construction at Preah Khan Kompong Svay, and
expanded Banteay Srei, Wat Ek Phnom, and Phnom Chisor. The major constructions built by
this king were the Prasat Preah Vihear, on Dangrek Mountain, and completion of
the Phimeanakas and Ta Keo.[1]:135–136 Suryavarman I also started the second Angkor reservoir,
the West Baray, which is 8 km long and 2.1 km wide. It held more than 123 million liters of
water. This is the largest Khmer reservoir that survives. There is some indication that
Suryavarman I sent a gift to Rajendra Chola I the Emperor of the Chola Empire to possibly
facilitate trade.
During his reign, 47 cities (known as 47 pura) were under the control of Khmer Empire.
Suryavarman I died in 1050 and was given the posthumous title Nirvanapada ("the king who has
gone to nirvana"), a nod to his Buddhist beliefs. He was succeeded by his
sons, Udayadityavarman II, who died around 1066 and Harshavarman III (Sadasivapada). The
latter continued the struggle against internal rebellions and fought back assaults from
the Chams until his death in 1080. The first two syllables in the monarch's name are a Sanskrit
language root meaning "sun". Varman is the traditional suffix of Pallava dynasty that is generally
translated as "shield" or "protector", and was adopted by Khmer royal line

The archaeological site was discovered in 1969 by Jean Boulbet, an ethnologist, but further
exploration was cut off due to the Cambodian Civil War. The site regained prominence for safe
visits from 1989. The bridge is a natural sandstone arch 50 kilometres (31 mi) northeast of Siem
Reap River. Just after the monsoon season, when the water level in the river starts dropping, the
carvings are visible in a 150 metres (490 ft) stretch upstream of the bridge and from the bridge
downstream up to the falls. The 11th century carvings in this stretch of the river are a galaxy of
gods, the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva or Maheswara and celestial beings; several
carvings of Vishnu with Lakshmi reclining on the serpent Ananta, Shiva with consort Uma,
known as Umamaheswar Brahma on a lotus petal over a plant stem rising from the navel of
Vishnu, Rama and Hanuman are the sculptures seen not only in the river bed but also on the river
banks.
Sequentially, while walking along a path which skirts the eroded channel of the river-formed
natural stone bridge, one can see a pair of Vishnu sculptures with Lakshmi seated at his feet in a
reclining pose. Upstream of the bridge, there is a sculpture of Shiva and Uma mounted on the
bull. Approximately 30 metres (98 ft) downstream of the bridge, there are additional Vishnu
sculptures. Further downstream up to the water fall and till the water pool are the Sahasra
lingas in Sanskrit language with English equivalent name of "Thousand Lingas".[1] The sculpted
lingams in the coarse sandstone river bed outcrops are seen from about 6 metres (20 ft)
downstream of the bridge. According to the journalist Teppo Tukki of Phnom Penh Post who
visited the site in 1995, the lingams, some of which date back to the 9th century, are about 25
centimetres (9.8 in) square and 10 centimetres (3.9 in) deep and lined in a perfect grid
pattern. The river runs over them, covering them with 5 centimetres (2.0 in) of pristine water.
The holy objects are designed to create a "power path for the Khmer Kings".
After the carvings, the river falls by 15 centimetres (5.9 in) to a clear water pool. As it flows over
the holy lingams, the river attains a sanctified status and passes through the temples that are
downstream. The visible lingams are in a rectangular enclosure with a channel flowing out,
which is interpreted to represent the yoni as the "female principle". Beyond these lingams, the
river stretch of about 40–50 metres (130–160 ft) includes a small rocky island and ends over a
fall into a pool. In this stretch of the river, there are bas reliefs on the rock faces. It has been
inferred that one of the bas reliefs in this stretch, the central figure, unrecognizably damaged,
could be that of Shiva as an ascetic, similar to the bas relief seen in Angkor Wat temple. The
meaning of the crocodile carving seen here has not been ascertained. Near to this location, a
boulder has been carved as a frog. The pond, in a rectangular shape, filled with water at all times,
has many "Reclining Vishnu" carvings on the walls, and here again, a pair of crocodiles are
carved but with their tail held by women. The small island formed in this stretch of the river has
carvings of Shiva and Uma mounted on a bull.

Art
Lord Vishnu in a reclining repose lying on the serpent god Ananta, with Goddess Lakshmi at his feet and Lord
Brahma on a lotus petal, in Kbal Spean River bank

The sculptures carved in the river bed and banks depict many Hindu mythological scenes and
symbols. There are also inscriptions which get exposed as the water level in the river decreases.
The common theme of these sculptures emphasizes creation as defined in Hindu mythology in
the form of Lord Vishnu lying on a serpent in a reclining repose on the ocean of milk in
meditation, the lotus flower emerging from Vishnu’s navel which bears god Brahma, the creator.
Following these sculptures seen carved on the banks of the river, the river flows through several
sculpted reliefs of Shiva the destroyer shown in the universal symbol of the Linga; 1000 such
lingas have been carved in the bed of the river which gives the name to the river valley formed
by the river as "valley of 1000 lingas".Vishnu is also carved to match the contours of the river
bed and banks. A carving of Shiva with his consort Uma is also visible.
Though the sculptures have been vandalized and damaged, the carved idols still retain their
original grandeur. Under the supervision of archaeologists, the graduates of Artisans
d'Angkor have been able to reproduce some portions of Kbal Spean's missing bas-relief carvings.
LAYOUT: The bridge is a natural sandstone arch 50 kilometres (31 mi) northeast of Siem
Reap River. Just after the monsoon season, when the water level in the river starts
dropping, the carvings are visible in a 150 metres (490 ft) stretch upstream of the bridge
and from the bridge downstream up to the falls. The 11th century carvings in this stretch
of the river are a galaxy of gods,
the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva or Maheswara and celestial beings; several
carvings of Vishnu with Lakshmi reclining on the serpent Ananta, Shiva with consort
Uma, known as Umamaheswar Brahma on a lotus petal over a plant stem rising from the
navel of Vishnu, Rama and Hanuman are the sculptures seen not only in the river bed but
also on the river banks.
Sequentially, while walking along a path which skirts the eroded channel of the river-
formed natural stone bridge, one can see a pair of Vishnu sculptures with Lakshmi seated
at his feet in a reclining pose. Upstream of the bridge, there is a sculpture of Shiva and
Uma mounted on the bull. Approximately 30 metres (98 ft) downstream of the bridge,
there are additional Vishnu sculptures. Further downstream up to the water fall and till
the water pool are the Sahasra lingas in Sanskrit language with English equivalent name
of "Thousand Lingas".[1] The sculpted lingams in the coarse sandstone river bed outcrops
are seen from about 6 metres (20 ft) downstream of the bridge. According to the
journalist Teppo Tukki of Phnom Penh Post who visited the site in 1995, the lingams,
some of which date back to the 9th century, are about 25 centimetres (9.8 in) square and
10 centimetres (3.9 in) deep and lined in a perfect grid pattern. [1][5] The river runs over
them, covering them with 5 centimetres (2.0 in) of pristine water. The holy objects are
designed to create a "power path for the Khmer Kings".
After the carvings, the river falls by 15 centimetres (5.9 in) to a clear water pool. As it
flows over the holy lingams, the river attains a sanctified status and passes through the
temples that are downstream. The visible lingams are in a rectangular enclosure with a
channel flowing out, which is interpreted to represent the yoni as the "female principle".
Beyond these lingams, the river stretch of about 40–50 metres (130–160 ft) includes a
small rocky island and ends over a fall into a pool. In this stretch of the river, there
are bas reliefs on the rock faces. It has been inferred that one of the bas reliefs in this
stretch, the central figure, unrecognizably damaged, could be that of Shiva as an ascetic,
similar to the bas relief seen in Angkor Wat temple. The meaning of the crocodile carving
seen here has not been ascertained. Near to this location, a boulder has been carved as
a frog. The pond, in a rectangular shape, filled with water at all times, has many
"Reclining Vishnu" carvings on the walls, and here again, a pair of crocodiles are carved
but with their tail held by women. The small island formed in this stretch of the river has
carvings of Shiva and Uma mounted on a bull.