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PRASAT BAPHUON
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Prasat Baphuon is
located 200 metres (656 feet)
northwest of the Bayon and south of
Phimeanakas.
A enter and leave at the east.
Tip: Access to the summit is
difficult as much of the temple has
collapsed and it is overgrown but
for those stalwarts who want to go
to the top, use the way with columns
at the east and the temple of
Phimeanakas on the left.
Visitors should
walk down the causeway, climb the
steps to the first tier, turn left
and walk around the temple, always
keeping it on their right. It was
built in middle of the 11th century
(1060) by king Udayadityavarman II,
dedicated to Siva (Hindu) with
following Prasat Baphuon. |
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The grandeur of Baphuon as described above
by Zhou Daguan is unrecognizable today
because of the poor condition of the temple.
The French were in the process of restoring
this temple when they were forced leave
Angkor in 1972 because of war. Baphuon is
situated inside the royal city of Angkor
Thom but dates from the eleventh century and
was built before the city was established.
An interesting feature of Baphuon are the
bas-reliefs which are scenes carved in small
squares.
Unfortunately few of these are visible
because of the poor state of the temple. The
narrative themes are realistic depictions of
daily life and forest scenes.
Temple-mountain situated on a high base. It
is a symbolical representation of Mount Meru.
A rectangular sandstone wall measuring 425
by 125 metres (1394 by 410 feet) encloses
the temple. A long sandstone elevated
approach (200 metres, 656 feet) at the east
entrance forms a bridge to the main
temple. It is supported by three rows of
short columns. |
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Tip: Before walking down the approach turn left at
the east entry tower and walk to the end of the
gallery for a superb view of a four-faced tower of
the Bayuon framed by a doorway of Baphuon. The
approach is intercepted by a pavilion in the shape
of a cross with terraces on the left and right
sides. Turn left and walk to the opening the
approach. Continue to the view of the arrangement of
the imposing pillars under the approach. Continue to
the end of the gallery to see a rectangular paved
pool.
The temple stands on a rectangular sandstone base
with five levels that are approximately the same
size, rather than the more common form of
successively smaller levels. The first, second and
third levels are surrounded by sandstone galleries.
Baphuon is the first structure in which stone
galleries with a central tower appear. Two libraries
in the shape of a cross with four porches stand
in the courtyard. They were originally connected by
an elevated walkway supported by columns.
The gallery of the enclosure collapsed and, at a
later date , the stones from it were modeled into
the shape of a reclining Buddha that spans the
length of the west wall ( the head is on the left,
facing the temple) . It is an abstract form and the
outline of this Buddha is difficult to distinguish.
A stairway leading to the summit begins in the
middle of the Buddha.
The top level is in poor condition due to several
collapses. Originally there was a Central Sanctuary
with two wings. Each side of the entrance to the
Central Sanctuary is carved with fine animated
figures. If you look carefully you can see these
from the ground on the west side.
Tip: The view from the top with Phnom Bakheng in the
south and Phimeanakas in the north is magnificent.
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THE ANGKOR
ARCHEOLOGICAL PARK LIST
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