Chau Say Tevoda, A pinnacle of Khmer architecture and symmetry

Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia

A very magical place

3.5

Introduction

The Chusa Temple is a Hindu temple built in the mid-12th century, located east of Angkor Thom and belongs to the architectural style of Angkor Wat. It is dedicated to the gods Shiva and Vishnu. The temple name 'Chusa' translates to 'the god of King Say' in Chinese, but the specific identity of 'King Say' remains unknown to this day; it may have been built in memory of Suryavarman I or related to some traditional ceremonies that were left behind. Although not large in scale, the Chusa Temple is one of the temples maintained by the Chinese working team. Among the existing nine individual buildings, the west gate is well-preserved, while the other eight buildings are severely damaged. However, after years of restoration efforts, it has reached the level of the sister temple, Tomarong Temple. Entering the northern gate of the temple, one can see the beautifully carved lintel being restored. In March 2000, the Chinese government provided an aid of 10 million yuan for the restoration of the temple, marking China's first participation in the restoration of foreign cultural relics and historical sites. The restoration project is divided into two phases, with the first phase lasting two years, including archaeological environmental surveys and investigations of building and stone protection. The formal restoration work began in April 2000 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2006. In summary, although the Chusa Temple is not large, it holds historical significance and cultural value, and it is also a representative case of China's participation in international cultural preservation.