The River Of A Thousand Lingas IN SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA Stock Photo

Kbal Spean literally means “Bridge Head” in Khmer and is an ancient Angkorian site, part of Phnom Kulen National Park. It is located in Banteay Srei district, Siem Reap Province. Its name comes from a natural sandstone rock bridge over the Kbal Spean River.The interest in this site is a series of stone carvings in the river bed of yonis and lingas, as tributes to the Hindu god, Shiva. Because of this, Kbal Spean is frequently referred to as the Valley of a 1000 Lingas or the River of a Thousand Lingas. The lingas are most visible after the rainy season finishes, when the water level in the river is lower.