Prasat Phnom Krom is approximately 12 kilometers (7 .4 miles) southwest
of Siem Reap near the north end of the Tonle Sap Lake. It is located
on a mountain 137 meters (449 feet) highs. Climb the steep stairs
and curved curved path through a modern temple complex at the top
of the hill. The walk affords a fine view of the lake and surrounding
area.
 Preah
Khan, the Beguiler, the Romancer, and the artist... it is an entrancing
mystery deep in the jungle, soft and alluring in the twilight made
heavy verdure, accessible only to the ardent lover of past days
who is gifted with agility. They may have been courtyards where
high priests gathered and guardians slept, but now they are walled
bowers over which the trees extend to heaven's blue.... It all seems
a wondrous mass of beauty tossed together in superb confusion.
Prasat Preah Khan is north of Angkor Thom and west of Neak Pean.
A enter and leave the temple from the west entrance (the description,
however, begins at the east, the principal entrance.) It is recommended
you allow plenty of time for seeing this monument for 'there are
delicious spots in which to stay still ' The world Monument Fund
is in the process of clearing and repairing this temple to give
visitors a better understanding of its original form.
Tip: When visiting Preah Khan follow the central artery on a west-east
axis.
It was built in second half of the 12th century (1191) by king Jayavarman
VII, dedicated to the father of the king (Buddhist), with following
to Prasat Bayon art style.
Background : Four causeways lead to the temple and are bordered
by the same figures (giants and gods carrying a serpent as are found
at the entrances to the city of Angkor Thom (not shown on the plan).
This architectural element was the mark of a royal city. The absence
of towers with faces such as those found at other temples built
by the same king suggests Preah Khan is earlier. It may have served
as a temporary residence of King Jayavarman VII while he was rebuilding
the capital after the Chams sacked it in 1177. Preah Khan shares
similarities with the temple of Ta Prohm. The main elements are
contained in a small space giving a cramped feeling. Much of the
temple is in poor condition but even restored it would seem architecturally
complex.
 An
inscription found in 1939 indicates Preah Khan was the ancient city
of Nagarajayacri. the second part of the name, Jayacri , is the
Thai word for sacred sword, the meaning of Preah Khan. The sacred
sword has a long history in Khmer tradition as in the late in the
century Jayavarman II left his successor a sacred sword, the Preah
Khan , which descendants still guard. Coeds, though, suggests that
the legend of the sacred sword may have originate with the Thais
who still call their sacred sword ' Jayacri '
Layout : Preah Khan comprises a vast area of 140 acres (56.7
hectares) and four enclosing walls. The buildings are enclosed by
a rectangular wall 700 by 800 meters (2,296 by 2,624 feet) and surrounded
by a moat ( not shown on the plan). Inside is a labyrinth of pavilions,
halls and chapels.
A processional way with stone markers displaying the head of a mythical
monster and a niche, which originally contained a seated Buddha,
precedes a causeway bordered by gods and demons holding a serpent,
which leads to an outer enclosing wall.
Giant Garudas and serpents and serpents are seen in relief on the
laterite wall, a motif that is reproduced every 50 meters (164 feet)
around the three kilometers (1.9-mile) long wall. The entry tower
at the east has three porches and the center one forms a passage
to the temple (not shown on the plan). The walls decorated with
a tapestry pattern with a base of scrolls, small female divinities
and false windows with lowered blinds.
On the right of the avenue leading to the enclosing wall are the
remains is a rest house for pilgrims, as described in the inscription
of the temple (not shown on the plan). They have thick walls and
windows with a double row of balusters.
 The
Second Enclosure : The second enclosure (1) is preceded by a
large terrace with two levels; lions and serpent balustrades lead
to an imposing entry tower five doors and two end pavilions (2).
It connects to galleries with columns on the exterior and a wall
with false windows and false windows and balusters on the interior
(toward the courtyard).
Inside the second enclosure marked by a laterite wall is a courtyard
in the shape of a cross (3) with four smaller courtyards surrounded
by galleries with columns. Traces of vaults are visible and above
the bays are friezes of Apsaras this area is known as the hall of
Dancers.
On the right there is a series off large thick pillars set close
together on two levels. The function of this double story building
(4) is unknown, although some archaeologists suggest it may have
been a library and no trace of a stairway between the two floors
has been found. Others believe it housed the sacred sword after
which the temple was named. On the opposite side there is a long
terrace (5) raised on laterite retaining wall.
It is the night of a feast the birthday of a king or the holiday
of a god. Fires are burning in Pra Khan and in Ta Prohm and Bantei
Kedei. There is a ruddy glow in the sky above Angkoe thom, and the
pyramid of the eastern Meborn is inverted flame in the still water
of the Baray. And the close packed millions of the people of Angkor
are in the roads with torches in their hands. Patterns of light
weave across the blackness of the plain. Streams of fire are flowing
in weird channels, welding at the unseen crossroads and spreading
out in dazzling tapestries in the temple courts.
RJ Casey, Four, Four Faces of Siva: the Detective Story of a Vanished
Race (George G Harrap, London, 1929). Return to the central artery
and continue walking across the dancing hall and into a courtyard.
On the left and right there are libraries (6) opening to the west.
The next gallery is finely decorated with female and male divinities
in high relief framing the bays and a frieze of Buddha images separated
by flying figures with Garudas in the corner. Through two enclosing
walls (7and 8), there is a stone stele in a portico to a central
shrine (9). It is inscribed on each of the four faces.
 Central
Sanctuary : The Central Sanctuary (10) divides the courtyard
into two unequal sections. The main tower with four porches is in
the shape of a cross. The center of the interior is marked by dome-shaped
stone mound that tapers to a point (sixteenth century). This is
a good vantage point from which to see the perspective of rooms
and galleries in the cardinal directions and the interplay of light
and shade.
A stroll to the south of the Central Sanctuary, from where one
can see the surrounding jungle, is most pleasant. A walk to the
north, from where a causeway bordered by gods and demons is visible,
is equally rewarding. The entry tower on the north side (11) is
framed by trees. the main porch of this entrance is preceded by
large guardian figures and a terrace in the shape of a cross. Return
to the Central Sanctuary and continue to the west. the structures
on the left and right (120 in the courtyard were probably funerary
chapels or family vaults. the entry tower of the enclosure at the
west is in the shape of a cross with pillars and aisles (13).
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