Neak Pean: 7 Oct 2003
  
  'The coiled serpents'. On an artificial island in the centre of the Jayatataka Baray sits this little temple. Only four metres square, with four lotus stories and a little crown, this little gem of a sanctuary rose out of a sacred lotus, which seemed to float on the surface of the basin.  
  

 

Island Temple

Originally called Rajasri, Neak Pean, which means 'coiled serpents', from the encoiled nagas that encircled this little temple.

   
  

Reflections

A sight to behold only during the wet season as the usually dry baray fills up with water, is the mirror reflection of Neak Pean sitting in the middle of the last baray to be constructed by a Khmer king in the Angkor area.

 
  

Deep Blue Sky

The temple once served as a place where pilgrims could go and take the waters, both physically and symbolically, the ancient Khmer equivalent of a spa.

 

  

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