Temples of Angkor - Cambodia - page 306

Several of the most impressive sculptures in the National Museum come from Koh Ker,
including the huge garuda that greets visitors in the entrance hall and a unique carving de-
picting a pair of wrestling monkey kings.
Most visitors start at Prasat Krahom (Red Temple), the second-largest structure at Koh
Ker, named for the red bricks from which it is constructed. Sadly, none of the carved lions
for which this temple was once known remain, though there's still plenty to see - stone
archways and galleries lean hither and thither and impressive stone carvings grace lintels
and doorposts. A naga -flanked causeway and a series of sanctuaries, libraries and gates
lead past trees and vegetation-covered ponds. Just west of Prasat Krahom, at the far west-
ern end of a half-fallen colonnade, are the remains (most of the head) of a statue of Nand-
in.
The principal monument at Koh Ker is Prasat Thom (Prasat Kompeng), a 55m-wide,
40m-high sandstone-faced pyramid with seven tiers. This striking structure, just west of
Prasat Krahom, looks like it could almost be a Mayan site somewhere on the Yucatán Pen-
insula. Currently, the staircase to the top remains closed for safety reasons, as it is crum-
bling apart in places. Some 40 inscriptions, dating from 932 to 1010, have been found
here.
South of this central group is a 1185m-by-548m baray known as the Rahal . It is fed by
the Sen River, which supplied water to irrigate the land in this arid area.
Some of the largest Shiva linga in Cambodia can still be seen in four temples about
1km northeast of Prasat Thom. The largest is found in Prasat Thneng , while Prasat Leung is
similarly well endowed.
Among the many other temples that are found around Koh Ker, Prasat Bram is a real
highlight. It consists of a collection of brick towers, at least two of which have been com-
pletely smothered by voracious strangler figs; the probing roots cut through the brickwork
like liquid mercury.
LANDMINE ALERT!
Many of the Koh Ker temples were mined during the war, but by 2008 most had been cleared: de-min-
ing teams reported removing from the area a total of 1382 mines and 1,447,212 pieces of exploded
and unexploded ordnance. However, considering what's at stake, it's best to err on the side of caution.
Do not stray from previously trodden paths or wander off into the forest, as there may be landmines
within a few hundred metres of the temples.