Wat Moha Montrey, Buddhist temple on Sihanouk Boulevard, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Wat Moha Montrey is a Buddhist temple on Sihanouk Boulevard in Phnom Penh, with a central sanctuary that rises approximately 35 meters high. The structure combines traditional Cambodian architectural elements with detailed wall paintings that cover all interior surfaces.
The temple was named after Chakrey Ponn, the War Minister of King Monivong, with the name translating from Khmer as 'The Great Minister.' Between 1975 and 1979, the Khmer Rouge regime repurposed the building to store agricultural products like rice and corn.
The temple walls show murals where Buddhist angels take the form of classical Khmer dancers, while officials appear in white Sihanouk-era military uniforms. This visual language connects religious and national symbols in a way that reflects daily life within the temple.
The temple sits at the intersection of Sihanouk Boulevard and Street 163, near the Olympic Stadium. Regular religious ceremonies take place here, and visitors should wear appropriate clothing and show respectful behavior.
The temple name derives from a royal general who served under King Monivong during the French colonial period. This detail is often overlooked, even though it represents an important link to Cambodia's past.
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