Temples of Angkor - Cambodia - page 290

TOP OF CHAPTER
Ta Som
Ta Som OFFLINE MAP , which stands to the east of Preah Neak Poan, is yet another of the
late-12th-century Buddhist temples of Jayavarman VII, the Donald Trump of ancient
Cambodia. The most impressive feature at Ta Som is the huge tree completely over-
whelming the eastern gopura, providing one of the most popular photo opportunities in
the Angkor area.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Eastern Baray &
Eastern Mebon
The enormous one-time reservoir known as the Eastern Baray was excavated by Yasovar-
man I, who marked its four corners with stelae. This basin, now entirely dried up, was the
most important of the public works of Yasodharapura, Yasovarman I's capital, and is 7km
by 1.8km. It was originally fed by the Siem Reap River.
The Hindu temple known as the Eastern Mebon OFFLINE MAP , erected by Rajendravarman
II, would have been situated on an islet in the centre of the Eastern Baray reservoir, but is
now very much on dry land. This temple is like a smaller version of Pre Rup, which was
built 15 to 20 years later and lies to the south. The temple-mountain form is topped off by
the now familiar quintet of towers. The elaborate brick shrines are dotted with neatly ar-
ranged holes, which attached the original plasterwork. The base of the temple is guarded
at its corners by perfectly carved stone figures of elephants, many of which are still in a
very good state of preservation.
The Eastern Mebon is flanked by earthen ramps, a clue that this temple was never fin-
ished and a good visual guide to how the temples were constructed.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Pre Rup
Pre Rup OFFLINE MAP , built by Rajendravarman II, is about 1km south of the Eastern Me-
bon. Like its nearby predecessor, the temple consists of a pyramid-shaped temple-moun-