Date: Built in late tenth century
Religion: Buddhism
Builder: Karvindra-Rimatthna (Brahmin or king’s advisor)
King: Rajendravarman II (944-968)
Posthumous name: Sivaloka
Batchum temple is located about 300 meters south of Srah Srong. It is accessible along the straight road which located north of Kravan village. It consists of a group of three brick towers stand on side-by-side on a low base opening to the east.
The temple was built by a Buddhist Minister Kavindra-rimathana, who built Rajendravarman II’s Royal palace. According to the inscription written in 953 AD, the temple was originally called Saok Takrum dedicating to Buddhism.
Bat Chum was dedicated to the deities of Mahayana Buddhism. It is considered as the first Buddhist temple in Angkor time.
Style:
This temple was designed with three brick towers which is the same style to Pre Rup temple and it’s very similar style to Prasat Bei temple.
Tower:
The central tower was dedicated to Buddha who achieved enlightenment: the southern one was dedicated to Avaloketesvara, lord of universes. The northern one was dedicated to Prajnabaramita, Female perfect wisdom.
each tower of this temple has a real door to the east and there’re three other blind doors at other sides which they were built of sandstone.
Moat:
Bat Chum is surrounded by a deep moat which is always full of water.
Inscription:
this temple also has useful inscription on its door piers. Normally, the inscription provides information about religious project and the king’s history, but Bat Chum’s inscription is saying that ‘Clear water in our lake, not for animal use, just for the using of those who wish to get lucks and for those who believe in our supreme Lords.
Restoration:
The French who worked in Angkor Conservation did not restore this temple, and they only cleared forest away from its structure. today this temple structure is very ruined and it needs to be restored urgently or it would collapse in the short future. APSARA authority has a project to preserve it, but it gets very little progress.
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