Siem Reap Vistior Guide 59th

angkor

76 Angkor. Ta Prohm is well worth an extended exploration of its dark corridors and open plazas. This tem- ple was one of Jayavarman VII's first major temple projects. Ta Prohm was dedicated to his mother. ( Preah Khan , built shortly in the same general style, was dedicated to Jayavarman VII’s father.) Ta Prohm was originally constructed as a Buddhist monastery and was enormously wealthy in its time, boasting of control over 3000 villages, thousands of support staff and vast stores of jewels and gold. Of the monastic complex style temples, Ta Prohm is a superior example and should be included in almost any temple itinerary. Ta Prohm Kel t R)asaTtaRBhµ ki l Constructed: Late 12 th century C.E. Religion: Buddhist King/Patron: Jayavarman VII Style: Bayon

A single small sandstone tower located opposite Angkor Wat , Ta Prohm Kel is the ruin of the temple or ‘chapel’ of one of the 102 hospitals built by Jayavarman VII throughout the kingdom. Of very similar design and state of ruin to the Chapel of the Hospital near Ta Keo . The Buddhist-themed carving on the northern pediment is in fair condition and displays marks of vandalism characteristic of the 13th cen- tury Hindu resurgence. The coarsely rendered carvings on the interior of the tem-

ple are probably from a much latter period.

R)asaTtasM

Ta Som tt

Constructed: Late 12 th century C.E. King/Patron: Jayavarman VII

Religion: Buddhist

Style: Bayon Small, classic Bayon-style monastic complex consisting of a relatively flat enclosure, face tower gopuras and cruciform interior sanctuaries much like a miniature version of Ta Prohm . Many of the carvings are in good condition and display particularly fine execution for late 12 th century works. Take note of the devata carvings which show an uncommon individuality. A huge tree grows from the top of the eastern gopura. It is destroying the gate but it is a photo classic. Best pho- tographed in the afternoon. Ta Som is the most distant temple on the Grand Circuit.

R)asaTeTBRbNm Religion: Buddhist

Tep Pranam t

Constructed: 9 th century C.E. King/Patron: Yasovarman I

Style: Mixed A long walkway with a Buddha figure at the far end. Tep Pranam was originally a Buddhist shrine in the 9 th century under Yasovarman I, the king that moved the capital to Angkor. It was expanded over the years with 12 th century balustrades, 13 th century lions and significant post-Angkorian modifications and additions. The Buddha statue at the western end is made from reused material. It is unclear how long that particular Buddha has been there.

R)asaTlanCl; dM rI Religion: Buddhist

Terrace of the Elephants tt Constructed: Late 12th century C.E.

King/Patron: Jayavarman VII Style: Bayon Terrace of the Elephants is an impressive, two and a half-meter tall, 300 meter long terrace wall adorned with carved elephants and garudas span- ning the front of Baphuon , Phimeanakas and the Royal Palace area at the heart of Angkor Thom . The northern section of the wall displays some par- ticularly fine sculpture including the five headed horse and scenes of war- riors and dancers. Constructed in part by Jayavarman VII and extended by his successor. The wall faces east so the best lighting for photography before noon. The Terrace of the Leper King is at the north end of the Terrace of the Elephants . Terrace of the Leper King tt RBHlanesþ cKM lg Constructed: Late 12 th century C.E. Religion: Buddhist King/Patron: Jayavarman VII Style: Bayon

A double terrace wall at the north end of the Terrace of Elephants with deeply carved nagas, demons and other mythological beings. The inner wall is an earlier version of the outer wall, covered at the time the outer wall was added. The inner wall was excavated by archaeologists in the late 1990s. The terrace was named for the statue of the ‘Leper King’ that sits on top. Why

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