Photo Gallary of Preah Khan Temple
History of Preah Khan Temple
Preah Khan Temple
"The sacred sword"Date 2nd half of 12th century (1151)
King Jayavarman VII
(posthumous name: Maha paramasangata pada)
Cult Buddhist
Clearing Started by H. Marchal from 1927 to 1932
Preah Khan was dedicated to the king’s father in a concept of a mixed belief of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Animism. The original name of this temple was Nagara Jayagri which means ‘The kingdom that was protected by a magic sword’. the stone inscription of this temple found in 1939 interestingly describes about a magic sword which was a prosperous treasure of the kingdom, and it was made of 21 different kinds of metal. According to inscriptions, there were dwellings of royal family, dignitaries, Brahmins, monks, artisans, students, and dancers inside this temple complex. This temple has about 40 doors to walk through from the west entrance to the east entrance which is like reflection in a mirror. The eastern part of this temple is still overgrown by big trees offering opportunity for taking photos.
DESCRIPTION
Prah Khan, like most other temples of Jayavarman's reign, is not uniform in style. It shows evidence of numerous alterations and additions - and although a Buddhist monastery, there is nonetheless an abundance of Brahmanic iconography.It has two concentric galleries and, similarly, two enclosures formed by simple walls - the closest to the centre containing important groups of galleries and sanctuaries on the axes which, as a crossing cloister to the east, become veritable temples in reduction in the other orientations.
The visit is easy since recent clearing works have opened the axial circulation by clearing the fallen rubble. From the east to the west, as from north to south, is a long line of door openings, vestibules, rooms and galleries - and we recommend that one follows the central route while making as many deep forays on either side as possible.
The temple was previously overrun with a particularly voracious vegetation and quite ruined, presenting only chaos. Clearing works were undertaken with a constant respect for the large trees which give the composition a pleasing presentation without constituting any immediate danger. At the same time, some partial anastylosis has revived various buildings found in a sufficient state of preservation and presenting some special interest in their architecture or decoration.
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