Cambodia Temple #7: Preah Ko Temple

chantha (51)in #travel • 7 years ago (edited)

Preah Ko (Sacred Bull) derives its name from the three statues of sandstone situated in the front of and facing the temple's focal towers. These statues represent Nandi, the white bull who serves as the mount of Shiva.

Preah Ko was the first temple to be constructed in the antiquated time and now ancient city of Hariharalaya (today is called Roluos, around 15 kilometers south-east of the main group of temples at Angkor, Cambodia. Khmer King Indravarman I constructed the temple in honor of his ancestors in the town of Hariharalaya, the old capital of the Khmer predating Angkor Thom by a few centuries.

After the Khmer King Jayavarman II established the Khmer empire in 802 A.D., he finally settled his capital at Hariharalaya. Indravarman I was the nephew of Jayavarman II. When he ascended to the throne, he requested the establishment first of Preah Ko, which was devoted in 879, and later of the temple-mountain known as the Bakong. A rebuilding of the towers occurred in early 1990s, financed by German government.

Moat and enclosures

The Preah Ko is encompassed by a moat measuring more than 500 meters on each side and three enclosures. Nothing remains of the third enclosure aside from the East cruciform gopura, in which was the primary entrance to the temple.

The laterite wall of the second enclosure is converged by gopuras at the East and West side. In the South East corner of the second enclosure stands a huge, well preserved library building with punctured stone windows. Ascetics are engraved into the blocks of the square structure. Practically nothing remains of a few gallery buildings and long rooms close to the second enclosure wall.

The first enclosure is encompassed by a brick wall. At the focal point of the East and West wall is a gopura entrance building with colonettes in the windows. Lintels over the entrance gate are decorated with carvings of Hindu Gods like Vishnu. The Preah Ko's establishment stele was found in the East gopura building. The stele pays tribute to Shiva, names the predecessors of King Indravarman I and notices the date on which the statues of the main idols were introduced in the sanctuaries.

Six sanctuary towers

Six sanctuary towers in two lines of three stand on a square stage. In front of the stage facing the towers are three statues of the bull Nandi, the mount of Shiva. Three stairways, each protected by a couple of lions give access to the stage and the sanctuaries. The towers were covered in stucco in which extremely detailed carving were made, some of which are as yet intact today. The sanctuaries open toward the East, while there are false entryways on the other cardinal directions.

The front line sanctuaries (the East towers) are bigger than those of the second line. Flanking the entryways are armed dvarapala guardians in niches. Enshrined on pedestals in the sanctuary rooms were pictures of the Hindu God Shiva. The lintels over the East entrance contain engraved portrayals of a Kala (a monster depicted with vast teeth and just an upper jaw) with a god sitting over its head, as well as Naga snakes and little warrior figures. The lintels over the false entryways contain depictions of Garuda, Nagas and warriors.

The second line of sanctuary towers which are smaller than the front line was devoted to Indravarman's female ancestors. Rather than dvarapalas, the sanctuaries are protected by carvings of female devatas standing in niches. Lintels and pediments are enhanced with carvings of Nagas and Garudas.

The second row of sanctuary towers which are smaller than the front row was dedicated to Indravarman’s female ancestors. Instead of dvarapalas, the sanctuaries are guarded by sculptings of female devatas standing in niches. Lintels and pediments are adorned with sculptings of Nagas and Garudas.

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