The Ancient Capital of Khmer Empire - Koh Ker Temple

Koh Ker Templeis located in Srayong Cheung village, Srayong commune, Kulen district, Preah Vihear Province. The distance from the provincial town to the temple is about 49 kilometers west of the provincial town and was once an ancient capital of Cambodia called capital of the Khmer empire for a very brief period from the year 928 to 944 AD. The site is dominated by Prasat Thom, a 30 meter (98 ft) tall temple pyramid rising high above the surrounding jungle. In this short time some very spectacular buildings and immense sculptures were constructed. A giant Garuda (mythical half-man, half-bird creature), carved into the stone blocks, still guard the very top, although its partially covered now. Left to the jungle for nearly a millennium, Koh Ker was one of Cambodia’s most remote and inaccessible temple destinations. This has now changed thanks to recent de-mining and the opening of a new toll road but spent more time to reach there. The visitor can travel by company tour or by taxi or hiring the one car. It is natural place where the visitor can stay nearby the village to learn from how they live and what the experience from previous period.

Until now, there are 96 temples have been found in Koh Ker and many of them are no longer standing, and some are buried in the ground such as Brasat Dav, Brasat Rumlum Bey, Brasat Beung Veng, Brasat Trapiang Prey, Brasat Dey Chhnang, Brasat Srok Srolao, Brasat Lingam, Brasat Kuk Srakum, Brasat Trapiang Ta, Brasat Sophy, Brasat Krahom, Brasat Andoung, Brasat Ang Khna, Brasat Teuk Krahom, Brasat Damrei Sar, Brasat Krarab, Brasat Banteay Pichoan, Brasat Kuk, Brasat Kmao, Brasat Thneung, Brasat Thorn Balang, Brasat Rohal, Brasat Chamneh, Brasat Sampich, Brasat Trapiang Svay, Brasat Neang Kmao, Brasat Pram, Brasat Bat, Brasat Khnar Chen, Brasat Klum, Brasat Chrab, Brasat Dangtung, Brasat Prang, Brasat Kampiang....

These temples were not constructed near each other and the  followings are locations and descriptions of some of the Koh Ker temples:

Koh Ker Temple: About 300 meters farther to the west is Kampiang or Koh Ker temple. From a distance, the temple looks like a small hill, because it is covered by forest. Up close, however, it is actually a 35-meter-high stupa made of sandstone. It has seven levels, each level about 5 meters above the other. Each deck has a 2-meter-wide terrace, and there is a 55- step staircase to the top. At the top of the temple, there are large statues of garudas supporting Shiva lingam Treypuvanesvara. Nearby, there is a 4-meter square well, now completely covered by grass. According to local villagers, if a coconut is dropped into this well, it will appear in the pond near Neang Khmao temple. There is vegetation growing on top of the temple, and from there visitors have an excellent view of the surrounding landscape, in particular, Phnom Dangrek, Phnom Tbeng, and Kulen district.To the north of Koh Ker temple is another temple, Damrei Sar temple, but it is heavily damaged. To the northeast, is Iingam temple. This temple once housed three Shiva lingams, but some are now damaged.

Rampart of Koh Ker Temple: Another kilometer down the trail is the rampart of Koh Ker temple. 1 kilometer long and 2 kilometers high, it is made of laterite. Koh Ker temple is the middle of a rampart, surrounded by 20 more temples. Some of the temples are: Kuk Temple or Gopura - Kuk temple or Gopura is made of sandstone and ha Prang Temple - Prang temple is constructed of sandstone and bricks. There are five separate parts of this temple. About 70 percent of the temple is still standing. Krahom Temple- About 10 meters farther is Kramhom temple (The red temple). Constructed of brick and shaped like a seven-level pyramid, the temple is decorated with a 20-meter-tall sculpture of lotus petals. Inside the temple, there is a 3-meter-tall statue of Shiva with eight arms and four heads. The statue is supported by a l-square-meter base. The statue is seriously damaged, only some parts remain. Khmao Temple - Farther down is Khmao temple. On the wall and door frame of the temple, there is a partially damaged inscription. Near the temple is a rampart gateway to Kampiang temple. The gateway is a 2-meter staircase. Some sculptures of lotus petals, seven-headed nagas and garudas remain a sculpture of lotus petals on the temple fronton. Although the door frame is damaged, most of the temple is in good condition. A Shiva lingam that once was housed inside has been looted.

Neang Khmao Temple: The Koh Ker complex is along a trail that is about 3 kilometers long. The first temple, Neang Khmao sits atop a small hill on the east side of the trail. The temple, which faces west toward Angkor city, is made of sandstone. It is 20 meters high and resembles a stupa. The temple terrace is 2 meters high and divided into three decks. The temple is surrounded by a laterite rampart, 44 meters square and 2 meters high. The rampart has only two openings; one on the east side, and the other on the west. The temple once housed lingam and yoni, but only yoni remains. The lintel sculpture has been damaged, but otherwise, most of the temple is in good condition, while nearly three-quarters of the rampart is good condition.

Chen Temple: Farther down the trail is a three-peak temple made of laterite and sandstone. It faces east and is called Chen temple. Inside the temple there is a piece of lingam and remnants of a statue of King Jayavarman IV. A sculpture of garuda's head on the south lintel is missing. The temple is overgrown by forest. Preng Well: About 800 to 900 meters farther, there is the Preng well, which is similar to a pond. Surrounded by stone, it is 20 meters square. The terrace is about 8 centimeters high. The water in the pond is clear, and a nearby tree provides shade for weary visitors looking for a place to relax.

 

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