Introduction
The Southeast Asian region is the Gold mine of old civils, mythological stories and religious buildings. Tourists tend to keep visiting well-known temples such as the Angkor Wat in Cambodia or the Borobudur in Indonesia, but the number of unknown temples that are out of the limelight is high in this region. Such hidden spiritual places are overgrown in jungles or hidden in mountains with no people close or lost under the weight of the centuries of forgotten history. And their presence in the world nowadays is the evidence of the ancient and mysterious history of Southeast Asia. This article reveals the existence of some of the most secret temples that survive to nowadays in Southeast Asia and the reasons why they are worth covering.
The forgotten Temples of Preah Khan Kompong Svay, Cambodia
Direly in the depths of Cambodian jungle, there is Preah Khan Kompong Svay, which is one of the biggest ancient temple complexes of Southeast Asia and which most tourists never knew about. This complex was constructed in Angkorian period and used to be a great administrative and religious center. Preah Khan Kompong Svay Unlike its popular brother Angkor Wat, Preah Khan Kompong Svay has not been reconstructed very well, which provides the visitors with the idea of how it was in the past. It is an isolated place, fully covered with moss, overgrown by tree roots, and lost in a forest; the place we would call a lost world ready to be discovered.
Wat Phou, Laos: The Pre -Angkorian Gem
The Wat Phou temple complex is laid out of the cool shadow of the Phou Kao mountain in the south of Laos. As opposed to overpopulated temples of Siem Reap, Wat Phou does not draw a lot of tourists. This UNESCO World Heritage site dates back to the 5th century, and Angkor Wat is younger than it; it was a part of ancient Khmer Empire. The complex has a spiritual orientation with the mountain which was considered as a natural linga form of god. Wat Phou represents one of the examples of religious syncretism in Southeast Asia, which is a mix of the Hindu and Buddhist elements. It is a really secret treasure because of its peaceful environment and background.
Myanmar, the Mysterious Temples of Bagan outskirts
Although the central plain of Bagan is already famous because of thousands of ancient pagodas and temples, some of the secret temples remain scattered on the outskirts of the spiritual Myanmar city of Bagan. On the sidelines of the grandiose of Ananda or Dhammayangyi, a lot can be said about these hiding temples holding rare murals, writings and carvings that most tourists never see. Most of them can be reached through a dirt trail or a local guide making part of the attraction of going to those places difficult. These secret spots have not been modified to fit the present-day tourist industry due to the lack of stability and movement in the political arena and tourism that is limited.
Phanom Rung Historical Park Thailand
The Phanom Rung temple which is in the northeastern part of Thailand is situated on the edge of an extinct volcano. It is an exotic hidden gem that is well off the common Thai tourist destination. Constructed between the 10th and 13th centuries supporting the Khmer Empire, it has been aligned to the sun in such a way that at four times a year during a rare alignment of the sun rays, it shines right through all the 15 doorframes. It was considered to be a sacred site that unites the heavens and the earth because of its elevation and the sacred status. Phanom Rung is one of the best hidden gems though its astronomical architecture and structures are pretty impressive.
Gunung Kawi, Bali Shrines Carved in Stone
Gunung Kawi is a mysterious yet spiritual temple complex which is located in the green nature of Bali, Indonesia. This site is unique because the major shrines in the site are not constructed but carved on cliff rock faces. The temple was dated back to the 11 th century and it is said to belong to King Anak Wungsu and his queens. Stuck deep in a valley and bordering rice terraces and dense forest, Gunung Kawi seems to belong to a uniquely different world to the masses of tourists in Ubud. It does not only give historical significance but it gives it really profound tranquility.
The Ancient Capital Of Cambodia Sambor Prei Kuk
The predecessor of Angkor was Sambor Prei Kuk. It is an archaeological site in Kampong Thom Province which is the ruins of Ishanapura the 6 th and 7 th century capital of the Chenla Kingdom. The temples are made of brick and are well carved with deities, animals and mythological scenes. Sambor Prei Kuk is not much pompous as it was with Angkor although the spirit of this countryside site is simple and genuine. Even most of the temples are unmarked and could only be found through a walk along the forest tracks. It is non-commercial and this maintains the sacred nature of it.
Vat Phou Salao Laos: The Temple above the Mekong
Vat Phou Salao is another great find in Laos; the temple perched on a hill above Mekong River at Pakse. Although its golden statue of Buddha is great as nowadays, it is the experience and the sight that makes this temple so interesting. What most people tend to ignore because of the modern building made behind the ruins are the original ruins which have a better insight into the olden spiritual practices. The greater part of the visitors visit this place to view the sunsets but without realizing the history and culture engraved in this secluded location.
The importance of These Secret Temples
The ancient temples of the Southeast of Asia are not only the ruins, but are also the existing proofs of spiritual development of the area and architectural mastership and cultural mixture. Such temples are usually not discovered because they are located in remote areas covered by lack of promotion or politics. Nevertheless, they are still undeveloped, which makes them a real adventure and not comparable to over-touristy places of heritage. A visit to them helps in having a stronger attachment to history, spirituality and nature.
Sensitivity of and to culture
Quite a number of these secret temples were and are or continue to accommodate worships and rituals among the local communities. They should be aware that respect should be displayed by the visitors and they should be able to dress in a precise manner and they should ensure that any structure or relics are not destroyed. These ancient wonders can be preserved by giving awareness and practice of sustainable tourism to the succeeding generations. It is the local guides and the local elders who possess the only source of information regarding these sacred places and as such, they play a key role towards preservation of their culture.
Conclusion
The same cannot be said about the secret temples that are still present in Southeast Asia to this day which can provide more than scenic beauty. They show people unknown stories of ancient kingdoms, lost gods and paths of spiritualities forgotten over the time. They are not as popular as the mainstream temples, but in their unexplainable beauty these temples include some kind of charm, which is based upon the mystery and silence which is really impressive. Those who may be the venturous tourist, history enthusiast, or spiritual pilgrim may find the experience to visit these secret havens quite a transforming one. The silent custodians of the past are never an ordinary place and with the increase in tourism, we should not forget the silent guardians of the past, which are still standing, still sacred and still waiting to be discovered.
