Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
rectangle - like the five dots on the face of a die.
Used to describe the placing of sanctuary towers in
Cambodian architecture.
Rahu
Demon with a monster's head and no
body, usually depicted swallowing the sun and
moon.
Rama
Seventh avatar of Vishnu, hero of the
Ramayana
.
Ramayana
Hindu epic tale describing the battle
between Rama and the demon Ravana.
Ravana
The great demon king of Lanka and Rama's
principal antagonist in the
Ramayana
.
Reamker
Cambodian version of the
Ramayana
.
Remorque
Alternative name for Cambodian tuk-tuk.
Sampot
Wraparound skirt; by extension, a length of
fabric su
cient to make a skirt.
Shiva
One of the three principal Hindu gods, often
referred to as the Destroyer.
Sita
Wife of Rama, who was kidnapped in the
Ramayana
.
Sompeyar
Traditional Cambodian gesture of greeting,
with hands placed together in a prayer-like gesture.
Spean
Bridge.
Srah
Pond, lake or reservoir.
SRP
Sam Rainsy Party.
State-temple
Principal temple built to house the
god with whom the devaraja king was associated; a
temple-mountain.
Stele
Upright stone block inscribed with writing.
Stucco
A type of plaster made with lime, and used for
decoration, particularly of brick buildings.
Stung
Medium-sized river, smaller than a tonle.
Stupa
See chedi.
Surya
Hindu god of the sun.
Temple
In the context of Cambodia, an ancient
building or collection of buildings, built by kings to
honour ancestors, or to house the devaraja god.
Temple-mountain
Temple constructed as a
representation of Mount Meru.
Theravada
One of the two main schools of Buddhism
(along with Mahayana Buddhism) and the dominant
form of the religion in Cambodia today.
Tonle
Major river.
Toul
Low mound.
Tuk-tuk
Motorbike-drawn passenger carriage;
sometimes called remorque.
UNESCO
United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization.
UNTAC
United Nations Transitional Authority for
Cambodia.
UXO
Unexploded ordnance.
Valin
Monkey king, killed by Rama in the
Ramayana
.
Vasuki
The giant naga used to churn the Ocean of
Milk.
Vihara
Main sanctuary of a wat.
Vishnu
One of three principal Hindu gods, the
Preserver.
Wat
Buddhist monastery and associated religious
buildings; often translated into English as “pagoda”.
Yaksha
Male spirit, depicted with bulging eyes, fangs
and a leer; serves as a temple guardian.
Yama
God of the Underworld.
Yeak
Giant.
