Passionate about helping those in need, Rathana Ung has volunteered in Cambodia to help construct homes for hundreds of individuals who were homeless. During her travels, Rathana Ung also helped rebuild several ancient temples in Cambodia.
With a rich history, Cambodia features a number of old temples in its Angkor region, home of the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries. The following are just a few temples to visit:
-Banteay Srei, also called the Temple of Women, stands out as a temple that was not built by a Cambodian king. Instead, it was constructed by a scholar and wealthy courtier who was an advisor to the king. Known for its wealth of Khmer art, the temple features reliefs that represent diverse mythological Hindu events, including the burning of Khandava Forest and the killing of the demon Hiranyakasipu by Narasimha.
-Preah Khan. Created by King Jayavarman, Preah Khan features an inscription that implies he built it where he conquered invaders from Champa. In addition to serving as a monastic house of worship, it was a university that incorporated elements of Vaishnava, Buddhist, and Shaiva worship.
-Ta Prohm. A royal monastery dating back to 1186, Ta Prohm was built by Jayavarman VII in honor of both his mother and Prajnaparamita, the goddess of wisdom. This temple is especially popular among tourists because of its location in the lush Cambodian jungle.
