The Equinox at Angkor Wat in Cambodia is a remarkable astronomical event that occurs twice a year, during the spring equinox (around March 20-23) and the autumn equinox (around September 21-23). During these times, the sun rises directly over the central tower of Angkor Wat, aligning perfectly with the temple’s western entrance. This creates a stunning visual spectacle, where the sun’s rays illuminate the temple in a way that highlights its architectural brilliance and cosmic significance.

This phenomenon is no coincidence. Angkor Wat, built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II, was designed with precise astronomical alignments in mind. Dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, a solar deity, the temple reflects the Khmer civilization’s advanced understanding of astronomy, engineering, and mathematics. The equinox sunrise emphasizes this connection between the earthly and the divine, a deliberate feature of its construction. Scholars suggest that the temple’s layout, including its bas-reliefs and pathways, may also encode calendrical functions, such as marking the days between solstices and equinoxes.

Today, the event attracts thousands of visitors to Siem Reap, where Angkor Wat is located. People gather before dawn—often arriving as early as 5:00 AM—to witness the sunrise, which typically begins to align around 6:00-6:30 AM local time. The experience is both a cultural and spiritual moment, offering a glimpse into the ingenuity of the ancient Khmer architects. For the best view, visitors often position themselves near the western entrance or the reflection pools, though it can get crowded, especially during the spring equinox, which coincides with Cambodia’s dry season and clearer skies.

If you’re planning to attend, arriving early is key to securing a good spot, and bringing a camera is a must to capture the moment when the sun crowns the temple’s iconic lotus-shaped tower. The next equinox, given today’s date of March 22, 2025, is ongoing—today is one of the prime viewing days for the spring event! The autumn equinox will follow later this year, around September 21-23, 2025.

#Moha Nokor

The Equinox at Angkor Wat in Cambodia

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A rare example of the Hindu god Surya, for whom a halo behind his head can symbolize either a solar disc or the sun, which dates back to the 7th century Phnom Da art style. It’s from the 1989 book Thai and Cambodian Sculpture from the 6th to 14th Centuries, written by Wolfgang Felten and Martin Lerner, which highlighted 41 previously-unpublished sculptures, the vast majority of which were in private collections at that time. For comparison, as the two styles are quite different, I’ve included a photo from the National Museum in Phnom Penh, depicting another Surya of a similar age, which was repatriated from the USA in 2023 by the Denver Art Museum, having previously been in the possession of Douglas Latchford, a close associate of the author, Martin Lerner.Credit By :

 

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A rare example of the Hindu god Surya

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An example of Ganesha, the popular Hindu deity who was depicted with a human body and an elephant head, from the 1989-published book, Thai and Cambodian Sculpture from the 6th to 14th Centuries, by authors Wolfgang Felten and Martin Lerner, which was first published in 1988 in the German language. Another of the 41 sculptures from the book, which was in an unnamed private collection at the time. In the description, a similar Ganesha at The Met Museum in New York is mentioned, where the author Martin Lerner was curator, hence I've included its picture for comparison. A reminder of who Ganesha was – he’s the son of the god Shiva and his spouse, Parvati. As the remover of obstacles and protector of knowledge, the Indian epic, the Mahabharata, was scribed by him and when his pen failed, he broke off his tusk to finish the job. Usually you will find that part of his tusk in his right hand and maybe some sweets in the other hand. Why an elephant head? During a fit of rage his father cut off his head and to relieve his wife’s grief, he replaced the head with that of the first living creature he could find, an elephant.Credit By :andy.brouwer

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An example of Ganesha, the popular Hindu deity who was depicted with a human body and an elephant

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Cambodian Premiere of LOOT:

The brand-new feature-length film, LOOT: A Story of Crime and Redemption, directed by Don Millar, will be screened three times at various venues throughout the upcoming 14th edition of the Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF), which was announced earlier today. It will tell the story of Douglas Latchford and his associates, the multi-billion-dollar art market, the illegal theft of Cambodia’s cultural heritage and the ongoing struggle to facilitate the return of those looted antiquities back to the kingdom. The screenings will be accompanied by a panel discussion, including the presence of the director. CIFF will take place from 21st to 29th March, screening 151 films, including sixty Cambodian films in all major cinemas and other venues across Phnom Penh. LOOT incidentally will have its world premiere on Saturday 15 March in the Le FIFA Festival in Montreal, Canada.

LOOT: A Story of Crime and Redemption. Time: 87 minutes:

From remote Cambodian villages to elite art institutions in New York, LOOT: A Story of Crime and Redemption is a daring look into the underbelly of the multi-billion-dollar art market and the deadly reality behind “blood antiquities” filling Western museums today. During Cambodia’s civil war, British adventurer-scholar Douglas Latchford led an extensive criminal network, looting centuries-old temples hidden within landmine-filled jungles. The film offers access to key players, including “Blue Tiger” a former child soldier turned looter who now fights to return stolen artifacts. The film tells the gripping story of the contrast of rich and poor as viewers learn about multi-million-dollar sales of works looted by Cambodian farmers paid $20 per week while risking their lives. LOOT: A Story of Crime and Redemption also takes viewers behind-the-scenes as stolen pieces are returned to Cambodia, including some arriving from New York’s Met Museum in July 2024. With thousands of pieces still overseas, Cambodia’s relentless struggle continues against the most powerful figures in the art world today.

Watch the trailer for LOOT: A Story of Crime and Redemption: https://www.lootfilm.com/

 

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Cambodian Premiere of LOOT

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