Chinese explorer Zhou Daguan documented in 1296-97 how a king climbed a structure nightly to meet a Naga (serpent spirit). Locals today still believe the Naga appears at the site.
1297 Chinese account of Cambodian king's nightly ritual
Site mentioned
📍 Vimanas Structure
Key facts
- Chinese traveler Xiao Daguan documented the structure in 1297
- King would climb the Vimanas alone every night after dark
- King met with a mysterious female entity described as a Naga. (serpent spirit)
- Only the king was allowed in the golden tower during the first watch of the night
- Ritual belief: if the Naga. did not appear, the king's days would be numbered
- If the king failed to visit, disaster would strike the kingdom
- Today locals believe the Naga. still appears nightly at the site
- Top of the structure remains off-limits to visitors
- Locals consider the site sacred due to the Naga. legend
Sources
Angkor, The city of the Celestial Dragon (Part III) - Uncharted Ruinsunchartedruins.blogspot.com
According to Hindu and Cambodian beliefs, the Nāga were a powerful reptilian race of serpent-like creatures which once ruled from a vast island- ...
Buddha Sheltered by a Naga - Cambodia - Angkor periodmetmuseum.org
This sculpture depicts the serpent king Muchilinda protecting the Buddha Shakyamuni from heavy rains.
Was this story useful?
Keep exploring
Every site on this page sits on the globe, and the people who research them are on the Discord.
3D Globe · Sites by country · Story Archive · Research Library · Weekly Journal · Search
AI-generated text · images from the original sources · always verify with the sources.