Phimeanakas
Aerial
Palace
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Rajendravarman II (Çivaloka) 944-968
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Jayavarman V (Paramaviraloka) 968-1001
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Suryavarman I (Paramanirvanapada) 1001-1039
The
inscriptions say that Rajendravarman II brought his capital back to Angkor
but he did not re-installed himself on the same place that had been marked
out by Yaçovarman I (the temple of Bakheng). He eracted the pyramid of
Phimeanakas which resembles Prang of Koh Ker as the centre of the town. In
its primitive form, the Phimeanakas was only half of its present height and
was crowned by a high gallery and in this traditional framework he installed
a sanctualy in light construction. It is possible that the two monuments
called North and South Kleang should be attributed to him, at least as the
first building in light construction.
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Phimeanakas |
Jayavarman V (968-1001) doubtless replaced a first palisade which
surrounded Phimeanakas and the palace by a fine wall of present day
and its five Gopuras which are so natural in the development of
Khmer Art.
Suryavarman
I (1002-1039) terminated the Phimeanakas by adding the upper pyramid and its
high light Prasat disappeared. To commemorate his rule over the whole of
Cambodia where he had just usurped power; he multiplied the Royal
Establishments in all the temples through out the country and bound his
great vassals by solemn oath of fidelity, inscribed on the Eastern Gopura of
the Royal Enclosure and on the South Kleang; he also constructed the temple
of Phnom Chisor, outside Angkor and various monuments near Battambang.
Phimeanakas
is the Khmer a word forming of two Sanskrit words: Vimeana + Akasa =
celestial Palace or Flying Palace or Aerial Palace. It is a rectangular
Pyramid 35m East to West. 28 meter North to South with 3 large tiers of
laterite making 12 m high.
The West
stairway is less steep. Royal Enclosure is about 600m by 250m shut by a fine
wall 7 m high and surrounded by moats which were filled in that time. Pools:
one of them is 125m by 45m was 8m deep; the other 50m by 25m and was 4.50m.
Chinese
Emissary, Tchou Ta Kouan visited Phimeanakas in 1296 described as "Golden
Tower"
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