PREAH KHAN TEMPLE
Preah Khan temple is located 2 kilometers north-east of
Angkor Thom on the Grand Circuit. The temple was built in the second half of
the 12th century in AD 1191 by King Jaya-varman VII, dedicating to his father
Dharanindravarman.
The Buddhist complex covers 56 hectares served as the
nucleus of a group that includes Neak Pean and Ta Som, located 4 kilometers
long Jayatataka Baray—the last of the great re¬servoirs to be built in Angkor.
The inscription indicates that Preah Khan was built on the
battle site where King Jaya-varman VII finally defeated the Chams. In those
days it was known as Nagarajayacri which mean the city of Preah Khan.
Four concentric ramparts subdivide Preah Khan. The outer or
fourth wall, which is encircled by a wide moat, today en¬closes a large tract
of jungle, formerly the living quarters of the monks, students and attendants
of Preah Khan. The second rampart delineated the principle religious compound
of about four hectares within which there is a dense concen¬tration of temple
and shrines. The central complex is Bud¬dhist. The northern and western sectors
are dedicated to
Brahmanism— Vishnu (west) and Shiva (north), whilst the
southern sector is a place of ancestor worship. The eastern sector forms the
grand entrance to the central shrine.
A place for a king located near Preah Khan temple is called
Veal Reacheak or Preah Reachea Dak. It is 1,500 meters long and 1,200 meters
wide. Nearby about 700 meters north of Preah Khan temple along the road to
Angkor Thomdistrict is another small temple called Ptu. The temple was made of
laterite.
