Preah
Khan
Preah
Khan means ‘Royal Sword’. The temple is massive and majestic but now it is in a
state of permanent decay. The usual happening of big trees damaging the
structures (like vividly seen at Ta Prohm) and deterioration of sand stone by
environmental factors like bacterial degradation as well as chemical decomposition
of the stones are the two major causes of the present plight of not only the Preah
Khan temple but also the whole lot of Khmer structures of yore.
The
temple was built by a Hindu Khmer King to commemorate his victory over the Cham
invaders in the year 1191.
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| The Garuda holding the Naga - this is the motif repeated many times on the outer wall |
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| An arch with the key course of stones destabilised |
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| A corridor |
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| A Buddhist Stupa in the middle of the temple with direct sunlight on it |
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| A representation of male and female genitalia. All the temples have the Linga and the Yoni display |
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| The purpose of this double storey structure with round pillars is unexplained. Below is another view of the same structure. |
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The tree has completely engulfed a part of the structure |
Preah
Khan means ‘Royal Sword’. The temple is massive and majestic but now it is in a
state of permanent decay. The usual happening of big trees damaging the
structures (like vividly seen at Ta Prohm) and deterioration of sand stone by
environmental factors like bacterial degradation as well as chemical decomposition
of the stones are the two major causes of the present plight of not only the Preah
Khan temple but also the whole lot of Khmer structures of yore.
Marvelous pictures. The Chams are said to be the muslim rulers who fought with the great Hindu rulers of Khmer. There is a panel depiction on the Bayon temple of the chams invasions and battle fights.
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