Temples of Angkor - Cambodia - page 293

ROLUOS TEMPLES
The monuments of Roluos, which served as Indravarman I's capital, Hariharalaya, are
among the earliest large, permanent temples built by the Khmers and mark the dawn of Kh-
mer classical art. Before the construction of Roluos, generally only lighter (and less dur-
able) construction materials such as brick were employed.
The temples can be found 13km east of Siem Reap along NH6 near the modern-day
town of Roluos. Plan a half-day visit together with the stilted village of Kompong Pluk
( Click here ) or plan on two to three hours to explore the three temples.
GOOD-CAUSE PROJECTS AROUND ROLUOS
Several good-cause initiatives have sprung up around the Roluos area. Look out for Prolung Khmer
OFFLINE MAP ( www.prolungkhmer.blogspot.com ) on the road between Preah Ko and Bakong. It's a
weaving centre producing stylish cotton kramas (scarves) , set up as a training collaboration between
Cambodia and Japan. Also here is the Lo-Yuyu OFFLINE MAP ceramics workshop, producing tradi-
tional Angkorian-style pottery.
Right opposite Preah Ko is the Khmer Group Art of Weaving OFFLINE MAP , turning out silk and
cotton scarves on traditional looms. Also here is Dy Proeung Master Sculptor OFFLINE MAP (dona-
tions accepted) , who has created scale replicas of Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei, plus Angkor Wat, Preah
Vihear and Banteay Srei for good measure.
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Preah Ko
Preah Ko OFFLINE MAP , erected by Indravarman I in the late 9th century, was dedicated to
Shiva. Six prasats (stone halls), aligned in two rows and decorated with carved sandstone
and plaster reliefs, face east; the central tower of the front row is much larger than the other
towers. Preah Ko has some of the best surviving examples of plasterwork seen at Angkor
and is currently under restoration by a German team. There are elaborate inscriptions in the
ancient Hindu language of Sanskrit on the doorposts of each tower.
The towers of Preah Ko (Sacred Ox) feature three nandis (sacred oxen), all of whom
look like a few steaks have been sliced off them over the years. Preah Ko was dedicated by
Indravarman I to his deified ancestors in AD 880. The front towers relate to male ancestors