Three temples Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei, 15km South-East of Siem Reap town, comprise the Roluos Group of monuments. They are closed together and extend over an area of 3km east of Great Lake. The Roluos group, dating from the late ninth century, is the earliest site of the 600-year Angkor Period. The three temples belonging to this important group have similarities of architecture, decoration materials and construction methods which combine to reveal the beginning of "Classic Period of Khmer Art".
Background
Roluos is the name of the village and the site of an ancient center of Khmer civilization known as Hariharalaya meaning the "abode of Hari (Visnu) and Hara (Siva)". After Jayavarman II established his capital to Hariharalaya, perhaps for a better source of food or for defence purposes. He died at Roluos in 850. It is generally believed that his successor remained there until the capital was moved to Yasodharapura in 905.
(Sacred Bull)
Lay Out:
The center of the temple of Preah Ko is a group of six towers in two rows, built on a common terrace; it is enclosed by a first square wall of 60m each side. The second wall is 95m each side; it has the same entrances and encloses the library and annexes of mixed construction. The outer enclosure is 800m by 450m and doubtless a fence of stakes.
The three towers in the front row are for paternal ancestors with male guardians flanking the door ways. The three in the back row are for maternal ancestors. Those ancestors were named as Gods and goddesses and Çiva Lingas were installed, representing the paternal ancestors.
(Kong of paternal ancestor)
Background:
Bakong was the central temple of the capital of Hariharalaya. It fulfilled for Hariharalaya the same role which the Bakheng played for Yaçodharapura. This monument shows the first type of plan of concentric enclosures, which, after the rectangular system. It is a Mount temple representing the cosmic Mount Meru. five levels leading to the central sanctury corresponds to the world of mythical
beings:
The temple of Lolei, which like the Mebon, occupies an island in the middle of the artificial lake (Baray Indratadaka), only the two tiered pyramid with four of the six towers which had been planned, remain intact. The four towers are, contrary to normal practice and in spite of the fact that the first plan was abandoned, completely finished. Now they are very badly ruined. A sandstone channel in the shape of a cross situated in the centre of the four towers. The channel extend in the cardinal directions from a square pedestal for Linga.
It is speculated that holy water poured over the Linga flowed in the channels. According to an inscription found at the temple, this Baray used for irrigation the area of Hariharalaya.
The king Yaçovarman I: the first founder of the city Yaçodharapura.
Birth Name : Yaçovardhana, when he came to the throne he was named Yaçovarman.
He ordered to build 100 hermitages called Yaçodharacrm for every province in the whole country.
According to the stele at Sdok Kok Thom "Paramaçivaloka had founded Yaçodharapura and he also brought Devaraja from Hariharalaya and installed in the new city". "Royal Chaplain Vamaçiva had installed Devaraja in the middle of the city". Central Mount is Phnom Bakheng for installation of Linga Yaçodhareçvara (893)
He also ordered to build the Eastern Baray: Yaçodharatadaka (7000m by 1800m) for the purpose of water supply. On the southern bank of this Baray he also built pilgrimages for religious purposes.
Brahmanasrm for Çivait vehicle
Vaisnasrm for Viçnuit vehicle
Saugatasrm for Buddhism
He began to build some temples:
Sikhariçvara on the Preah Vihea Mountain, dedicated to Çiva.
Bhadreçvara at Çivapura (Phnom Sandok)
On Phnom Bok dedicated to Trimurti.
On Phnom Krom dedicated to Trimurti.
He was dead at 910 and got the posthumous name "Paramaçivaloka".
The Great City or Capital
Angkor derives from Sanskrit word: "Nagara" meaning "City or Town or Capital"; "Thom" means "Great" so Angkor Thom meaning "Great City".
The town of Angkor Thom as we see it today, is not the first capital of ancient Cambodia in the same place.
The first city was founded by king Yaçovarman I (899 to about 910). This king began his reign in the capital of his father Indravarman I at Hariharalaya. He abandoned the city in order to build his own capital Yaçodharapura meaning the "city of Yaçovarman". It was recognized that the centre of this first city is the Phnom Bakheng. It was chosen for its proximity to the river Siem Reap which does not dry up and because the hill form a natural foundation for the pyramid of the God-King ritual. Yaçodharapura was larger than the present town (4 km at each side) owing to the security was good; it allowed the king to be surrounded the city by cheap enclosures of stake to protect the eastern side, he used the course of the river. Angkor Thom
The Bayon, is the exact centre of the town of Angkor Thom. Having to power after the burning of the capital by a he city and surrounded it with a strong wall. This rampart constitutes the outer enclosure of the Bayon, it is a wide, provided the earth for the enormous embankment which support it, and makes a boulevard 25m wide, with four little temples at the corners, Read More Bayon
In 1191, five year after the building of Ta Prohm, the king dedicated this temple to be the shelter of the idol of his father, Dharnindravarman II, in the likeness of Bodhisattva Lokesvara. The causeways lead to the temple are bordered by the same figures carrying a Naga symbolized the Churning the Sea of Milk. This architectural element was the mark of a royal city. It may have served as a temporary residence of King Jayavarman VII while he was rebuilding the capital after the Charms sacked Angkor in 1177. Preah Khan is the name of the sacred sword, the safeguard of Cambodia, which is preserved in the palace of Phnom Penh, it seems that there is a connection between this precious arm and the name of the monument, a name which is not unique among the temple of the country. It is among the largest monuments. It includes a set of four concentric enclosures are longer to the east and west (800m by 700m, 7m high), giant Garudas and serpents are decorated every 50m around the 3km long wall. The wall of central complex forms quadrilateral 250m by 175m with Gopuras or entrance pavilion - with three passages. The avenues 250m long towards the entrances.
Banteay Samre Temple located along the way to Bok Mountain and eastern side of East Baray “Yasodharatadakaâ€. The location of the temple is also located in the Angkor Archaeological site in Siem Reap Cambodia.
Samre is the name of minority people who are living in Siem Reap, they live together in a small village called Preah Dak where the temple was located. Banteay means citadel. Thus Banteay Samre is citadel of Samre.
Read more Banteay Samre Temple
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