Angkor Wat Temples - an introduction . . .

Prasat Kravan   (early 10th century)

Prasat Kravan was built in the year 921 by a nobleman rather than a king, and its unique brick towers contain large wall sculptures of Vishnu and Lakshmi (an inscription on the door jambs mentions the placement of a statue of Vishnu in 921AD). Unlike other temples at Angkor it has an unusual five-part facade with all the towers in a row. In the mid-60s Prasat Kravan was extensively restored by French archaeologists, look out for the replacement bricks which have 'CA' stamped on them. For photography it is best visited in the morning when the sunlight is on the front of the towers.

Pre Rup   (late 10th century)

Pre Rup is best approached from the west, where this archetypal temple-mountain, stylish and well proportioned, is seen in its full majesty standing out against the rice fields. King Rajendravarman II, who engineered the return of the Khmer Empire capital from Koh Ker to Angkor after a period of political upheaval, founded Pre Rup as his state-temple - it was the second temple to be built after the capital's return. Pre Rup means 'turning the body' and Khmer tradition says this temple was used for cremations. On the upper level there are beautifully carved false doors as well as excellent views of the surrounding countryside, looking east you will see Phnom Bok in the foreground and the mountain chain of Phnom Kulen in the distance, and looking west you will be able to make out the towers of Angkor Wat on the horizon. As the temple is built entirely of brick and laterite the warm tones of these materials are best seen early in the morning or when the sun is setting over the beautiful Cambodian rice fields.

Preah Khan   (late 12th century)

Preah Khan, meaning 'sacred sword', is a huge, highly explorable monastic complex, full of carvings, passages and photo opportunities. It originally served as a Buddhist monastery and school, yet it was more than just a monastery, it was an entire city enclosing a town of 56 hectares. About 100,000 farmers produced rice to feed about 15,000 monks, teachers, and students. For a short period it was also the residence of King Jayavarman VII whilst he awaited the re-construction of his permanent home in Angkor Thom. It is sprawling complex of infinite corridors and sensuous carvings, however many of the Buddha images were vandalised in the later Hindu resurgence, and some of the Buddha carvings in the central corridor have been crudely carved over with Bodhisattvas, and in a couple of odd cases, a lotus flower and a linga. Also to note are the many small holes in all the walls in the center of the building, it is said that originally every hole contained gold and diamonds which were stolen and resold by the Khmer Rouge.

Preah Ko   (late 9th century)

Preah Ko is in the Roluos Group and was one of the first major temples of the Angkor Empire at the early Khmer capital of Hariharalaya, constructed by Indravarman I. Preah Ko, meaning 'Sacred Bull', derives its name from the statues of bulls at the front of the central towers. Many of the carvings are in very good condition providing excellent examples of the period. Preah Ko is distinguished from other temples in the area by the unusual arrangement of its six central towers which stand in two rows facing east. It is said that the three towers to the west, which are shorter, were built for the spirits of former queens, and archaeologist claim that the octagonal colonettes surrounding the doors are among the finest examples of decorative carving in Khmer art.

Sra Srang   (mid 10th century)

Sra Srang, meaning 'Royal Bathing Pool', is a picturesque baray (reservoir) opposite the east entrance of Banteay Kdei, and is one of the few Angkor barays that still holds water. It was originally completed during the reign of Rajendravarman but was re-modeled and enlarged in the 12th century as part of Jayavarman VII's massive building campaign. It was Jayavarman VII who added the beautiful boat landing. Sra Srang is thought to have been a natural lake which helps explain why it still holds water. During the height of the dry season the sparse remains of an island temple can be seen in the middle of the lake. Sra Srang offers a pleasant, much less touristed, sunrise alternative to Angkor Wat.

Takeo   (late 10th century)

Takeo is a towering but plainly decorated temple-mountain pyramid dedicated to Shiva, and consists of five levels reaching a total height of 22m. It was constructed as a state-temple by Jayavarman V, and the first two levels form the base while the final three, reducing in size the higher they get, form the base for the five tower sanctuaries. Takeo was known as 'the mountain with golden peaks', and was the first temple to be constructed wholly of sandstone. Many Angkorian temples are partially unfinished, but Takeo seems to have stopped construction particularly early in the decoration phase of construction as there are very few carvings. Little is known about why construction was halted, however one school of thought believes after the death of Jayavarman V there was a violent usurpation by Suryavarman I in 1001AD who ordered the work to stop. Takeo is an interesting temple well worth a visit, but if you are pressed for time see Pre Rup instead.

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