Preah Khan
The Buddhist temple complex Preah Khan ("Holy Sword"), located in the Cambodian province of Siem Reap , is believed to be the relic of a provisional Angkor capital. The relatively well-preserved complex from the late 12th century is one of the most diverse and important flat temples in the cultural area.
history
In 1181 the Khmer troops succeeded in repelling the Cham from the Angkor area. The successful military leader ascended the royal throne as Jayavarman VII and immediately began an ambitious construction program: In particular, he was responsible for the Northern Baray or Baray of Preah Khan (a 3500 by 900 m large, now dry water reservoir), the ancestral temple Ta Prohm (in memory of his Mother), the ancestral temple Preah Khan (in memory of his father) and the new capital Angkor Thom with the state temple Bayon . Until the completion of Angkor Thom, the northwestern, almost adjacent Preah Khan presumably served as the provisional capital. Ancient sources suggest that an important battle took place here, in the course of which the King of the Cham was killed. Only a few years later, the area is said to have already housed several Buddhist monasteries and a Buddhist university with over 1000 teachers; in any case, Preah Khan was far more than a temple: a city of considerable size.
Mid-13th century, under King . Jayarvaman VIII , the complex was temporarily hinduisiert, the Buddha - statues and - reliefs were destroyed or umgemeißelt. Thorough restoration work began in the 20th century. However, these could only affect the stone buildings and ruins, because after almost a millennium, the wooden buildings had virtually disappeared without a trace.
investment
From the east, a causeway leads to the enclosure of the city. Behind us lies the Northern Baray: the stepped terrace of the pier, the wooded area of the former water reservoir and in the middle, almost 2 km away, the temple island of Neak Pean . In front of us lies the narrow side of the rectangular city layout measuring 750 by 900 m. The outer enclosure wall has a gate ( gopura ) in each cardinal direction and is surrounded by a moat.
The path leads through the east gate into the former urban area, today a largely free area. After 200 m on the right is the recently restored "House of Fire", one of 121 similar chapels that Jayavarman VII had built on the main roads of the empire. After another 200 m we reach the next enclosure wall, 175 by 200 m, again with four gateways. Beyond there are numerous preserved buildings, to the left and right of the path z. B. the “Hall of the Dancers”, north of it a remarkable, almost Greek-looking two-story columned hall: an imitation of typical Khmer wooden buildings in stone, probably a former rice granary.
Another two enclosing walls follow, which are quite close together: one measures 76 by 85, the other 55 by 62 m. Now step into a building that is cross-shaped in plan. The central sanctuary, the so-called Prasat , is located where the four long corridors, which lead through numerous differently dimensioned door openings, but allow view through, are located . it has housed a small stupa since around the 16th century . The arrangement of the closely packed buildings, some of which were built later, in the four corner areas of the inner temple district, the so-called quarter courtyards, is confusing.
The way from here to the outer west gate is comparatively short, because the temple, the three inner enclosing walls and at the same time the outer north and south gates are shifted slightly to the west.
Architectural jewelry
In addition to the chiseled Buddha statues and reliefs already mentioned, Preah Khan has a large number of excellently crafted sandstone works : Naga balustrades and lions at the landing stage, giant balustrades in front of the east gate (compare Angkor Thom), 72 Garuda reliefs all around the outside of the city wall (every 50 m, each 5 m high, even higher at the corners), apsara friezes in the hall of the dancers, a resting Vishnu at the northern satellite temple , two large dvarapala at the north gate .
literature
- Michael Freeman and Claude Jacques: Ancient Angkor . Bangkok 1999 (River Books). ISBN 974-8225-27-5 .
- Nick Ray: Cambodia . Victoria 2005 (Lonely Planet Publications). ISBN 1-74059-525-4 .
- Johann Reinhart Zieger: Angkor and the Khmer temples in Cambodia . Chiang Mai 2006 (Silkworm Books). ISBN 974-9575-60-1 .
Web links
Coordinates: 13 ° 27 '43.1 " N , 103 ° 52' 17.7" E