Phnom Bakheng

Yasovarman I built his state temple on a natural hill, Phnom Bakheng, 1300 metres north of the western entrance of Angkor Wat. The temple of Phnom Bakheng is a mountain temple consisting of five square terraces of diminishing seize and a sixth terrace of even smaller seize which supports five shrines. The terraces have staircases in the centre of each side. At each level a pair of lions guard the staircase. Miniature shrines are at the corners of the five lower terraces and in between the corners and the staircases (see picture 1, below). The shrines on top of the temple are decorated with male and female guardians (see picture 2, below) and ornamental posts (see picture 3, below).

Back to Cambodia.

Picture 1

Picture 2

Picture 3