A week in Cambodia -11/18/2023-11/24/2023

Siam Reap-11/22/2023

Day 5- Pre Rup Temple

    We are on a 2 day guided tour visting temples and watching the sunrise with a small group.  Our first stop is the Pre Rup Temple located around 3.1 miles to the northeast of Angkor Wat. Pre Rup Temple was built in the mid-10th century as the state temple of king Rajendravarman (reign 944–968 AD). Our tour guide told us that this temple is underrated and not as widely visited as other temples in the area. However, the beautiful brick structure is a must-see for anyone visiting Siem Reap.

A large inscribed stele (K. 806) was discovered in one of the long halls and therefore provided an exact date for the consecration of the temple in 961 AD and the original name of the temple was Rajendrabhadresvara. The current name, Pre Rup translates which means "turn the body" was given as it was believed that the king’s ashes were ritually rotated in different directions during the cremation ceremony. Despite its name, the temple was not originally a burial site, but rather a place of worship for the ruling elite.

 Pre Rup temple is a grand brick temple with an arrangement of 6 towers rising from a pyramid base to form the “temple mountain” of combined bricks, laterite and sandstone with an architectural concept of the ancient Khmer to represent the sacred Mount Meru in Hindu beliefs.

 Pre Rup Temple was built during the transition from the early to the middle period of the Khmer Empire, when the empire was expanding and consolidating its control over the region. As the state temple, Pre Rup played a crucial role in legitimizing the king’s power and authority, as well as promoting the Hindu religion and its associated rituals and beliefs.

The temple’s central tower (on top of the stairs) served as a symbolic representation of Mount Meru and the abode of the gods, making it an appropriate location for the interment of royalty.

The use of grey sandstone, a less durable material than the stone used in most temples built at that time, means that the weather-worn structure’s decay has been accelerated. Despite their gradual fading state, we can still the series of long galleries and libraries, a typical feature of 10th Century architecture and never again seen in temples built after Pre Rup’s completion.

Closer view of the  entrance of the temple.

Brick walls inside the temple

Entering the ground of the temple.   Pre Rup Temple consists of three tiers, each adorned with ornate carvings and sculptures. Our tour guide is on the right with the yellow shirt.

We are now on the first tier of the temple.

Intricate carvings decoration on the lintel.

The lower tier is the largest, measuring 1,076 square ft. and featuring five sets of staircases.

We are now on the second tier of the temple. .The legendary stone ‘cistern’ lies in the central rectangular enclosure and was perhaps the base for a bronze statue of Nandi that was once housed there, rather than for use in cremation ceremonies, as was a popular belief in later times.

Panoramic view of the second tier of the temple.

We are now going to the third tier of the temple called the center terrace.

Hoa going up the stairs

View of the temple from the central terrace of the temple.

There are five central towers on the top platform and facing to the East.

 The Central Sanctuary is the main building at Pre Rup Temple, featuring a pyramid-shaped structure that is adorned with detailed carvings and intricate sculptures. The tower stand about 39 ft. tall and used to house the main Shrine of Shiva, one of the main deities of Hinduism.  The interior if off limit to the public.

Sculptures of deities around the central tower.

Feminine figure in the niche are surrounded by flying Apsaras (celestial nymph).

 The architecture of Pre Rup Temple bears a strong resemblance to that of Indian temples, particularly those found in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This is due to the close cultural and religious ties between the Khmer Empire and India at the time of Pre Rup’s construction.

Panoramic view of the central terrace.

The Terrace of Elephants is a raised platform that runs along the eastern side of Pre Rup Temple, featuring a series of intricate carvings that depict elephants, gods, and other mythological creatures. Visitors can stroll along the terrace and take in the stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

We are now entering one of tower in the central terrace.

The interior is fairly small with a very tall opening at the top.

Our group at the Central terrace.

View of the ground floor from the Central terrace

Our guide explaining the history to us.

Panoramic view of the surrounding from the Central terrace which is the highest point.

Another tower on the central terrace.

Sculptures on the lintel..

We are done visiting the central terrance.

Water sprout in the form of a dragon head

Closer view.

Another water sprout in the shape of an elephant.

We are now at the ground level.

Pre Rup's extensive laterite and brick give it a pleasing reddish tone

We are now done with our visit and on to the next temple.

Next...Ta Som Temple