Wat Ounalom, Cambodia - library, temple, architecture

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A visit to Wat Ounalom allows insight into the holy teachings, philosophies and history of Buddhism in Cambodia. Perhaps the most famous and oldest of five pagodas in the country, Wat Ounalom is the centre of Cambodian Buddhism and serves as the dwelling of the Patriarch of the Mahanikai School of Buddhism. As the name indicates, King Ponhea Yat - meaning ‘Eyebrow Temple’ - was constructed in 1443 to protect an eyebrow hair of Lord Buddha, and the temple was once home to more than 500 monks as well as the Buddhist Institute’s library that held in its collection over 30,000 titles.