Equinox, a natural phenomenon when the sun rises over the central tower of the Angkor Wat Temple in Siem Reap province, will happen tomorrow. 

Mr. Im Sokrithy, an archaeologist and director of the Department of Research, Training, and Communication said that at 6:30 am on Sept. 22, the sun will rise at the top of Angkor Wat, but with unfavourable weather this week, we may not be able to see this event like every year.

He continued that this September’s Equinox event coincides with the time when the Khmer people are throwing Bai Ben, and following the inscription on the K279 inscription at the end of the 9th century, it is allowed to throw Bai Ben on Equinox night.

The equinox is the time when day and night are approximately equal in length, unlike some normal months, the night is longer than the day or the day is longer than the night that always happens in the world. 

The equinox at Angkor Wat is not a coincidence, it is a feature of the Khmer ancestors who prepared the architecture of the temple in advance, with the intention of adjusting the natural phenomena for Angkor Wat to create an event of the sunrise at the top of temple.

According to Mornings.co.uk, a famous website of the United Kingdom, the Angkor Wat Temple of Cambodia was crowned No. 1 as the world’s best place to see the sunrise.

“Angkor Wat is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Steeped in history and rich in culture, it is a must-visit attraction. Although views from this spot are inspiring at any time of the day, a sunrise here is not to be missed,” the website commented.

The Equinox Angkor occurs twice a year, and this year it falls on Mar. 21 and Sept. 22.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press