Wat Botum (Botum Pagoda)
Wat Botum Vathey is a wat located at Oknha Suor Srun Street 7, Sangkat Chaktomuk, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It is located to the south of the Royal Palace of Cambodia, on the western side of Wat Botum Park.
Founded by King Ponyea Yat in the 15th century, Wat Botum is one of the original Wats in Phnom Penh. It is also one of the more important temples in town with many local dignitaries having been buried here over the years. The large green and yellow statues at the entrance to the wat represent a legendary snake or naga, which is said to inhabit a subterranean kingdom, and has the ability to change into human form.
History of Wat Botum
Established by King Ponhea Yat in 1442 (1986 B.E.), Wat Botum is one of the most important and original pagodas in Phnom Penh.The wat was originally named Wat Khpop Ta Yang or Wat Tayawng and at the time of the construction of the Royal Palace in the 1860s when the pagoda changed to the Dhammayut sect, it was renamed Botum Wathei by monk Kantie Topodae after a former lotus pond on the site. Numerous politician and eminent persons of the city are buried here.
Also, many prominent Cambodian monks have been ordained at the wat. You Bo and the Khmer Writers' Association have their headquarters at the wat.
