Cambodia Temple #8: Baksei Chamkrong Temple

Baksei Chamkrong is a little Hindu temple situated in the Angkor complex (Siem Reap area, Cambodia). It is devoted to Lord Shiva and used to hold a golden picture of him. The temple can be seen on the left side when entering Angkor Thom at the southern gate. It was devoted to Yasovarman by his son, King Harshavarman I. The temple was finished by Rajendravarman II (944-968).  

Baksei Chamkrong situates on the foot of Bakeng Mountain. The word Basei Chamkrong means that "a bird used its wings to cover a baby". Today this name has become a famous tale in Cambodia.  

This temple is one of the main temples built of strong material, for example, bricks and laterite and with beautification in sandstone. Much of the stucco on the surface of the temple has vanished. The main sandstone lintel is beautified with a fine engraving of Indra standing on his three-headed elephant Airavata. Garlands exude from either side of Indra in the style current to the landmark. There is an inscription on either side of the small entryway.

Baksei Chamkrong measures 27 meter by 27 meter and its tower is 23 meter high. Its base was composed with four levels constructed of laterite, but its tower was constructed of brick. There're four staircases yet today the south staircase is the easiest to climb up and down. Its focal tower has a reclining Buddha statue constructed in the sixteenth century. This Buddha was supplanted a golden Linga which had left. The tower has a genuine entryway facing east while other three entryways at different sides are blinds. The engravings on blind entryways and lintels are still in great condition. Baksei Chamkrong has one entrance toward the east yet it just remains the establishment, sandstone pedestal and one lion statue. The enclosing wall was constructed of brick and it only remains some trace.  

Baksei Chamkrong has one entrance to the east but it only remains the foundation, sandstone pedestal and one lion statue. The enclosing wall was built of brick and it only remains some trace. 

History  

Between the entrance and the temple structure, there's a deep hole which was burrowed by the Khmer Rouge soldiers to search for treasure in the 1980s.  

A towering 12-meter tall brick and laterite step-pyramid. Harshavarman I started construction or maybe devoted statues at the site in the early tenth century. It was later enhanced and rebuilt by Rajendravarman II soon after the capital was come back to Angkor from Koh Ker. According to inscriptions on the entryway, Rajendravarman II sanctified the temple with the establishment of a golden Shiva picture in 947AD. It may have also served as a funerary temple. 

The inscription discloses to us the legend of the word Kampujadesa which was this country’s unique name. Depending on the legend, there was a hermit called Kampu married to Mera who was an exceptionally lovely princess from the paradise. Both of them give birth as the people who called themselves as Khmer. The word Khmer or Khemara is from the blend of Kampu with Mera. The Khmer people called their country as Kampujadesa which implied who people of Kampu. Today Kampujadesa has become Kampuchea and Cambodia is the English expression of Kampuchea.  

Some related articles:

1. Cambodia Temple #12: Bakong Temple 
2. Cambodia Temple #11: Banteay Kdei Temple
3. Cambodia Temple #10: Preah Palilay Temple
4. Cambodia Temple #9: Chau Say Tevoda Temple
5. Cambodia Temple #7: Preah Ko Temple
6. Cambodia Temple #6: Neak Pean Temple
7. Cambodia Temple #5: Takeo Temple
8. Cambodia Temple #4: Bayon Temple
9. Cambodia Temple #3: Banteay Chhmar Temple
10. Cambodia Temple #2: Banteay Samre Temple
11. Cambodia Temple #1: Banteay Srei Temple