Baksei Chamkrong: 6 Oct 2003
  
  'The bird who shelters under it's wings'. This little temple with its four square tiers of laterite, crowned by a brick sanctuary, might serve for a model in miniature of some of its giant neighbours, and is almost as perfect as the day it was built...  
  

 

Standing Tall

The name of this temple derives from a legend in which the king fled during an attack on Angkor and was saved from being caught by the enemy when a large bird swooped down and spread its wings to shelter him. This was the first temple-mountain at Angkor built entirely of durable materials, of brick and laterite with sandstone decorations.

   
  

Dedicated to Shiva

Harshavarman I began construction of this temple in the mid 10th century. The temple was later restored by Rajendravarman II. According to inscriptions on the doorway, Rajendravarman consecrated the temple with the installation of a golden Shiva image in 947 AD. It may have also served as a funerary temple.

 

  

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