Phnom Kulen

Phnom Kulen
Phnom Kulen appears as a long, continuous silhouette in the background
Highest point
Elevation	487 m (1,598 ft)
Coordinates	13°36′46″N 104°06′45″E / 13.61278°N 104.11250°E / 13.61278; 104.11250Coordinates: 13°36′46″N 104°06′45″E / 13.61278°N 104.11250°E / 13.61278; 104.11250
Geography
Phnom Kulen Location of Phnom Kulen in Cambodia
Location	Cambodia
Geology
Mountain type	sandstone
Climbing
Easiest route	Drive

Phnom Kulen, also romanized as (Phnom Koulen, Phnum Kulén or Koulen Mountain) (Khmer: ភ្នំគូលេន, meaning "Mountain of Lychees") is a mountain range in Siem Reap Province, Cambodia.

Rather than a hill range, Phnom Kulen is an isolated chain of small mountain plateaux of moderate height lying south of the Dângrêk Mountains. The range stretches for about 40 km in a WNW - ESE direction and is located some 48 km north of Siem Reap.

Its highest point is 487 m and its height is quite regular, averaging 400 m all along the range.

Geologically Phnom Kulen is formed of sandstone. It was important as a quarry in Angkorian times, the major quarries being located in the southeastern angle of the massif.

There is a sanctuary in the area, Phnom Kulen National Park, straddling the districts of Svay Len and Va Rin. Its purpose is recreational and scientific in order to preserve the natural scenic features of Phnom Kulen mountain, like some famous waterfalls.

The park is located about 48 km to the north of the provincial town of Siem Reap.

This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on September 1, 1992 in the Cultural category.

The Phnom Kulen mountain range is located 30 km northwards from Angkor Wat. Its name means "mountain of the lychees". There is a sacred hilltop site on top of the range.

Phnom Kulen is considered a holy mountain in Cambodia, of special religious significance to Hindus and Buddhists who come to the mountain in pilgrimage.

It also has a major symbolic importance for Cambodians as the birthplace of the ancient Khmer Empire, for it was at Phnom Kulen that King Jayavarma II proclaimed independence from Java in 804 CE. Jayavarman II initiated the Devaraja cult of the king, a linga cult, in what is dated as 804 CE and declaring his independence from Java of whom the Khmer had been a vassalage state (whether this is actually "Java", the Khmer chvea used to describe Champa, or "Lava" (a Lao kingdom) is debated, as well as the legend that he was earlier held as a ransom of the kingdom in Java. See Higham's The Civilization of Angkor for more information about the debate). During the Angkorian era the relief was known as Mahendraparvata (the mountain of Great Indra).