Restored Giant Shiva Statue to Be Returned to Koh Ker Temple as National Sacred Symbol

PHNOM PENH — March 18, 2026: A massive statue of the Hindu god Shiva, once broken into more than 10,000 fragments, has been successfully restored and is set to be returned to its original location at Koh Ker Temple as a sacred national heritage symbol.

The statue, standing five meters tall and weighing approximately seven tonnes, is one of the largest of its kind in Cambodia and Southeast Asia. It was reconstructed after more than five years of restoration work carried out from 2020 to 2026.

The restoration ceremony was presided over by Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona at the Angkor Conservation Site in Siem Reap, where the statue is currently being temporarily kept.

The artifact originally collapsed in the 14th century and was later damaged and dispersed into thousands of pieces, reportedly during periods of conflict. Its recovery and restoration were made possible through cooperation between Cambodia’s Preah Vihear National Authority, the École française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO), and the Heritage Protection Alliance.

Officials said the project reflects a major achievement in cultural preservation, restoring an important historical artifact that is more than a thousand years old. The statue features five faces and ten arms, highlighting its artistic and religious significance.

Minister Phoeurng Sackona expressed deep appreciation to the team of experts and partners involved in the restoration, emphasizing that the successful reconstruction represents both a cultural and national achievement.

She expressed hope that the statue will be returned to Koh Ker Temple, where it will serve as a sacred object of worship, reflecting Khmer ancestral traditions and attracting more tourists to the Koh Ker heritage site.

Source: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts in Cambodia, March 19, 2026

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Reported by The Khmer Today