Preah Khan, Angkor Complex, Siem Reap

Preah Khan was the largest temple complex built during the Angkor era. Spread over an area of 5 sq km, it exceeds Angkor Thom (3.3 sq kms) and Banteay Chmar (4 sq kms). Built originally for a Hindu god, it became a Buddhist temple in the 12th century.

It has been reduced to rubble by time and looters and was at once stage a Khmer Rouge hideout as well. Pretty inaccessible till recently with mines nearby, it is still now only visited by the most avid temple buff.

Central Sanctuary

Preah Khan is made up of a central sanctuary and four enclosures with many side buildings, a baray, and many temples outside the enclosure walls. One of these is Prasat Preah Damrei, or Elephant Temple, a small 9th century pyramid temple made of twelve low levels. Enclosed within a laterite wall with four gates, it is guarded by large stone elephants.

A sandstone shrine, Phreah Thkol stands on an island in the center of the baray. At the western end of the baray is an 11century structure, Prasat Preah Stung, the most memorable of the structures here for its Bayon-style faces on its central tower. There are also remarkable carvings of swans on the terrace.

The central structure was in pretty good shape until the mid-1990s when looters arrived. It has a carved naga bridge and a rebuilt central sandstone tower. The walls are covered with aspara carvings, through a number of them have been defaced. Closely is a sandstone dharmasala (rest house) similar to the one at the Angkor Preah Khan.

Rampant Looting

The main temples were built in the 12th century when Preah Khan was something of a second city to both King Suryavarman II and later King Jayavarman VII. Much of Preah Khan’s central area remains invaded by forests, and many of its towers have collapsed from rampant looting. However, a finely carved bust, believed to be that of Jayavarman VII, is reunited with its body at the Phnom Penh National Museum.