The Descent of the Ganga in the Land of the Khmer

Abstract

This paper investigates the “visual ecology” of puranic narratives in early South and Southeast Asia, focusing on their role in crafting immersive, affective environments where the past becomes vividly present. Employing a spatial and sensory framework, the study delves into how visual representations of puranic stories shape and are shaped by sacred landscapes, serving as both participants in and stages for religious performance. The concept of “visual ecology” anchors the analysis, and shows that sites of puranic imagery are not inert backdrops but dynamic spaces that intertwine emotional, social, and environmental dimensions. These environments actively influence, and are influenced by, the collective memories and identities of those who engage with them. Focusing on accounts of Gaṅgā’s descent recorded in Khmer inscriptions and landscapes, this paper highlights how puranic visual narratives generate a sensory experience that collapses temporal boundaries, bringing mythic pasts into immediate presence through lived, embodied encounters. By doing so, the study provides new insights into the role of visual culture in shaping and conveying religious memory and identity.