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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