Siem Reap Vistior Guide 59th

angkor

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R)asaTtu bxagekI t

Prasat Top (East) t Constructed: Late 13 th century C.E. King/Patron: Jayavarman VIII

Style: Bayon Angkor Thom: Architecturally unimpressive but historically important small tower. Also known as 'Monument 487' and 'Mangalartha' in honor of a powerful monk, Jayamangalartha, who was the son of one of Jayavarman VII’s Brahman monks. Originally commissioned by Jayavarman VII, it was not consecrated until 1295AD, decades after his death. This temple was the final Brahmanic temple built in the Angkor area, marking the end of an era. Constructed in the historical-

ly hazy period of Hindu resurgence after the death of Jayavarman VII.

R)asaTtu bxagli c

Prasat Top (West) t Constructed: 9th-17 th century C.E.

Religion: Theravada Buddhist Style: Post-Bayon

Angkor Thom: Small, ruined towers in a quiet area. Inscriptions indicate that the site was used as early as the 9th century, but the present structure is post Angkorian. The materials from the 10th and 11th were reused for the current structure which was probably assembled in the late 13th century. The few carv- ings that still exist are Buddhist some dating as late as the 17th century.

R)asaTERbrU b

Pre Rup tt

Constructed: Late 10 th century C.E. King/Patron: Rajendravarman II Style: Pre Rup Architecturally and artistically superior temple-mountain of comparatively complex design. Beautifully carved false doors on upper level, as well as an excellent view of the surrounding countryside. Richly detailed, well-pre- served carvings, particularly on the lintels. Pre Rup is traditionally believed to be a funerary temple, but in fact the state tem- Religion: Hindu (Shiva)

ple of Rajendravarman II. Historically important in that it was the second temple built after the Khmer capital was returned to Angkor after a period of political upheaval when the capital had been moved to Koh Ker. The artisti- cally similar East Mebon was the first to be constructed after the return to Angkor, less than a decade earlier.

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Preah Khan ttt

Constructed: Late 12th century C.E. King/Patron: Jayavarman VII Style: Bayon 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, engaging over 1000 monks. For a short period it was also the residence of King Jayavarman VII during the reconstruction of his permanent home in Angkor Thom . In harmony with the architecturally similar Ta Prohm that was dedi- cated to Jayavarman VII's mother, Preah Khan is dedicated to his father. Religion: Buddhist

Features of note: like most of Jayavarman VII's monuments, the Buddha images were vandalized in the later Hindu resurgence. Some 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 note the cylindrical columns on the building west of the main temple. It is one of the only examples of round columns and may be from a later period. Preah Palilay t R)asaTRBH):alIéL Constructed: 13 th century C.E. or later Religion: Buddhist

Picturesque sandstone and laterite tower in a cool, shaded forest setting, in the area behind the Terrace of the Leper King . The central tower is in rough condition but the eastern gopura displays some particularly nice Buddhist-themed carvings. The date of construction is a matter of some debate. Traditionally dated to the late 12th/early 13th century, but the Theravadan Buddhist themes of some of the carv- ings and some architectural features suggest a construction date in the late 13th

or 14th century. The tower was rebuilt and modified in the post-Bayon period.

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