PHANOM RUNG HISTORICAL PARK

Situated in a beautiful wooded park, on the summit of an extinct volcano, of which only a small lake remains on the site of the ancient crater. The temple site is built on high ground, which adds to its majesty and affords a fine panoramic view of the surrounding rice paddies... Phanom means "mountain". It took over 17 years to restore the whole complex. During Songkran (mid-April), regional festivities celebrate the completion of the restoration, and a sound and light show crowns a day of jubilation. The temple was built between the ^10th and ^13th centuries AD. Access is via a long gallery that begins at the White Elephant Hall. Crossing the first bridge, adorned with a five-headed Naga, a staircase leads to two basins where ablutions were performed, before continuing on to the prasat itself. Adorned with Hindu deities, the entrance to the sanctuary leads to the famous Phra Narai lintel (stolen by the Americans during the Vietnam War and restored after lengthy palaver in May 1988). Here you can discover dozens of the finest sculpted lintels in Thailand: representations of Shiva, Brahma, Vishnu and Krishna, the deities of the Hindu pantheon, but not yet of Buddha. Admire the pediments on the inner and outer doors, as well as the chiselled decorative friezes on the walls and pillars. A visit not to be missed.