PHIMÉANAKAS
Hindu place of worship built by Rajendravarman at the end of the century, featuring a pyramid, a chapel and two sacred pools.
This Hindu place of worship, whose name makes one think of a Greek sanctuary, is actually the "heavenly chariot"(Prasat Phimean Akas in Khmer) of the rulers of Angkor Thom, the royal temple par excellence, which is located within the palace compound. Built by Rajendravarman at the end of the tenth century, then modified by Sūryavarman I in the middle of the eleventh century, with the addition of a central tower which certainly served as his personal temple, this pyramid built of large blocks of laterite rests on a base of 35 m by 28 m. The decoration is rather basic, with statues of lions and elephants at each corner of the pyramid. The chapel that stood on the upper platform was a small cruciform building with four doors, the entire upper part of which has disappeared. A narrow covered gallery wraps around the top. According to the legends, it was in the upper chamber that the unions between the king and the Nagi, queen of the snakes, symbolized by a pretty young woman, took place every evening. The prosperity of the kingdom depended on this nocturnal appearance and the ensuing lovemaking. The temple is today in bad condition. Work is currently in progress, led by a French team. Two sacred basins are located a few meters from the temple. The one to the north, probably reserved for the king, was used for sacred ablutions or perhaps for nautical jousting. The one on the east side was for the queen, the concubines and the other women of the court.
Did you know? This review was written by our professional authors.
Book the Best Activities with Get Your Guide
Members' reviews on PHIMÉANAKAS
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
Find unique Stay Offers with our Partners
