Preah Khan temple complex situated at the northern edge of the Angkor Archaeological Park is one of the most significant buildings erected during the ancient Khmer empire. Preah Khan temple is located 2 kilometers north-east of Angkor Thorn on the Grand Circuit. The temple was built in the second half of the 12th century in AD 1191 by King Jaya-varman VII, dedicating to his father Dharanindravarman. Preah Khan serves today as an outstanding example of a large linear temple complex in a dense jungle setting. Visit Peah Khan Temple with Indochina tours Cambodia.
Preah Khan Temple
The King commissioned Ta Prohm and Preah Khan Temple as monuments of his rule. Preah Khan was probably built on the same spot where previous kings had kept their palaces.
Preah Khan was an entire city that accommodated 100,000 farmers and 15,000 monks, and its subsidiary buildings included a hospital, rest house and a rice granary. For a short period it also served as the residence of King Jayavarman VII during the reconstruction of Angkor Thom. Preah Khan is erected on a battle site where king Jayavarman VII finally defeated the arch-enemy Cham army. Travel to Cambodia
Spung tree at Preah Khan Temple
Rectangular in shape and occupying 138 acres, Preah Khan’s boundaries are defined by a protective moat and fortified walls adorned by monumental carved stone garudas—eagle-like divine beings. The temple complex includes entryways, towers, ceremonial spaces, courtyards, shrines, and a variety of connecting corridors. Additional special features of Preah Khan include its two-story pavilion, the once-bronze-plated sanctum sanctorum, and its Hall of Dancers.
The central Buddhist temple at Preah Khan included an image of the Boddhisattva Lokeshrvara, carved to resemble the King’s father. There were 282 sub-deities around the main statue, including Khmer heroes and deceased officials. There was even a statue of the usurper-king in front of the temple. Though this seems odd, the Khmers believed that all past kings, even usurpers, guarded the country after death.
Preah Khan Temple
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.
The best time for travelling is in the morning. Go from east to the center, from there to north and south. Temporally the southern temple is under restoration; cross the west temple, and go, outside of the enclosure wall, to the south gate of the temple, from there to the outer south gate, and back to the west avenue
The Indochina Voyages team.
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