Cultural Linkages
Cambodia and India share a long history of cultural exchange that dates back many a centuries. The two countries have been connected through trade, religion, and cultural influences, which has resulted in a rich and diverse cultural heritage that can be seen in both nations today.
Religion
Cambodia is a predominantly Buddhist country, and Buddhism was introduced to the region through India. In the 3rd century BCE, the great Indian Emperor Ashoka sent Buddhist missionaries to various parts of Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, to spread the teachings of the Buddha. As a result, Cambodian Buddhism is heavily influenced by Indian Buddhism, and many of the country’s temples and religious practices are indeed based on Indian models.
Architecture
Cultural linkages between Cambodia and India become very evident in their architecture. The Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia is a magnificient example for the same. The temple was built in the 12th century and is one of the largest religious monuments in the world. It was designed in the Khmer architectural style, which is heavily influenced by Indian temple architecture. The temple’s layout and decoration are based on Hindu mythology and feature many images of Hindu gods and goddesses, such as Vishnu and Shiva.
Art and Literature
The Khmer Empire, which ruled Cambodia from the 9th to the 15th century, produced some of the most beautiful art and architecture in the world. Many of the artistic styles and techniques used in Khmer art, such as stone carving and bas-relief sculpture, were influenced by Indian art.
Both countries have a long tradition of storytelling and literature. The famous Indian epic, the Ramayana, has had a significant impact on Khmer literature and mythology. Many of the stories and characters in Khmer literature are based on the Ramayana, and the epic is still widely read and studied in Cambodia today.
We’d like to conclude and acknowledge the fact that the cultural linkages between Cambodia and India are many, varied and is intertwined and interconnected. Despite the distance between them, India and Cambodia continue to share a close relationship based on their shared cultural history and common values till today.
Khmer Kitchen’s a path-breaking, one-of-a kind & the very first Cambodian restaurant in Bengaluru borne out of travel, love, & passion for all things Cambodia.
