Phnom Bayang Temple (ប្រាសាទភ្នំបាយ៉ង់)

Bayong Temple, also known as Prasat Bayong Kao, is an important pre-Angkorian archaeological site located in Por Rong Village, Preah Bat Chan Chum Commune, Kiri Vong District, Takeo Province, Cambodia. The temple is approximately 121 kilometers from Phnom Penh and about 43 kilometers south of Takeo provincial town. Bayong Mountain, where the temple is situated, is located in Kiri Vong District, approximately 20 kilometers from the border with Vietnam.

The temple was constructed on the summit of Bayong Mountain, which has an elevation of approximately 313 meters. Due to its location, Bayong Temple is considered one of the highest temples built on a mountain in Cambodia. The site can be accessed through three stairways, which together contain approximately 90 steps.

According to historical accounts, Bayong Temple was constructed during the 7th century, between approximately 615 and 635 AD, during the reign of King Bhavavarman II. The temple was built as a religious monument dedicated to Brahmanism, an ancient Hindu religious tradition that influenced the development of early Cambodian culture and architecture.

The temple was constructed using several traditional materials, including laterite, brick, schist, and layered stone. The main structure measures approximately 13 meters in length, 9 meters in width, and 12 meters in height. Its architectural design reflects the characteristics of the pre-Angkorian period, when brick was one of the main materials used in religious architecture.

The original name of the temple is believed to have been Shivapura. Architecturally, it is a single, square-shaped temple. Each side of the structure is approximately 10 meters long, while the temple itself is more than 14 meters high. The use of brick and its architectural style place the monument within the pre-Angkorian period, which preceded the development of the Angkorian civilization.

Bayong Temple is significant not only because of its historical and religious importance but also because of its unique location on a high mountain. The site provides valuable evidence of the development of early Cambodian architecture, religious practices, and the cultural traditions of the pre-Angkorian period. As a result, Bayong Temple represents an important part of Cambodia's archaeological and cultural heritage.

 

Bakan Temple (Preah Khan Kampong Svay)- ប្រាសាទបាកាន (ព្រះខ័នកំពង់ស្វាយ)

Bakan Temple (Preah Khan Kampong Svay) is located in Bakan Village, Ronakser Commune, Sangkum Thmei District, Preah Vihear province, and approximately 105 kilometers from Angkor. 

These temples were built between the half of the 11th century and the beginning of the 14th century. The main cultural complex related to the Angkor Wat style (first half of the 12th century), with some additional structures and satellite temples related to the Bayon style period (end of the 12th century and beginning of the 13th century). 

Except for an unfinished Hindu temple built during the first half of the 11th century, monuments of the Bakan are mostly related to Buddhism (Mahayana and Theravada).

Chen Temple (ប្រាសាទចិន)

Prasat Chen (Chen Temple) is an ancient Khmer temple located in the Koh Ker archaeological complex, which once served as the capital of the Khmer Empire during the 10th century under King Jayavarman IV. 

The temple is famous for its strong Koh Ker architectural style, sandstone structures, and remarkable sculptures. Some important statues from the temple were taken abroad in the past, but have later been returned to Cambodia. 

Prasat Chen is an important historical and cultural site surrounded by natural forest, and Koh Ker was officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2023. 

 

Chau Srei Vibol Temple (ប្រាសាទចៅស្រីវិបុល)

Chau Srei Vibol Temple is an ancient Khmer temple located in Siem Reap Province, near Phnom Bok. The temple was built in the 11th century during the Angkor period and was dedicated to Shiva in the Hindu religion. Its architectural style is similar to the Baphuon style, and it was mainly constructed with laterite stone. 

Chau Srei Vibol Temple is surrounded by peaceful natural scenery, making it an interesting site for historical study, photography, and documentary filmmaking. Although less famous than the main Angkor temples, it still preserves the beauty and mystery of ancient Khmer architecture. 

 

Banteay Srei Temple (ប្រាសាទបន្ទាយស្រី)

Banteay Srei Temple is a small but very beautiful temple. It was built in the 10th century​and is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

The temple is famous for its pink sandstone and very detailed carvings. Even though it is smaller than other temples in Angkor Archaeological Park, many people think it is one of the most beautiful because of its fine artwork. 

The carvings show stories from Hindu mythology and are still very clear today. The temple also looks especially beautiful in the early morning and late afternoon when the sunlight changes the color of the stone. 

In short, Banteay Srei is important because of its amazing design, detailed carvings, and historical value. 

Ta Krabei Temple (ប្រាសាទតាក្របី)

Photo in December 2022

Ta Krabei Temple is located in Chheu Slap Village, Koh Khpos Commune, Banteay Ampil District, Oddor Meanchey Province, CAMBODIA. The temple is approximately 57 km from the provincial capital of Oddor Meanchey via the National Road No.56, and about 30 km from the district centre of Banteay Ampil. 

Photo in December 2022

Ta Krabei Temple was constructed of sandstone directly on the ground. It features gopuras (entrance gateways) facing all four cardinal directions and measures approximately 30m by 30m. The temple is situated along the Dangrek Mountain Range. 

Based on its architectural style, the temple is believed to have been constructed between the 12th and 13th centuries, in the late Angkor Wat or Bayon style. 

Photo in December 2022

It is thought that construction may have begun as early as the 11th century, but the temple was never fully completed, similar to Ta Keo Temple in Siem Reap Province. 

At the centre tower stands a Shiva Linga, known as the Svayambhuva Linga (ស្វ័យម្កូលិង្គ), meaning “the self-manifested linga.” Therefore, Ta Krabei Temple was built as a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. 

Photo in December 2022

Photo in December 2022

Photo in December 2022

Photo in December 2022

Photo in December 2022

Photo in December 2022

Photo in December 2022

Photo in December 2022

Photo in December 2022

Photo in December 2022

Photo in December 2022

Photo in December 2022

 

The Story of the Inner (Hidden) Wall Carvings

The hidden wall behind the Terrace of the Leper King shows a story about the three levels of the universe: the underworld, the earth, and the heavenly world. When the terrace was first built, this wall was covered with soil and stones, providing it with excellent protection for many centuries. When the wall was later uncovered, people found beautiful carvings of gods, mythical animals, and spirits that seemed to tell a story of life after death and the journey of the soul.

1. The Lower Level: The Underworld

At the bottom part of the wall, you can see carvings of water creatures like fish, turtles, crocodiles, and serpents (nagas).

This part represents the underworld, the place beneath the earth and under the water.

In Khmer belief, this is where powerful naga spirits live, the protectors and guardians of the land.

2. The Middle Level: The Human and Royal World

In the middle section, there are royal attendants, dancers, and warriors. These carvings show scenes from daily life in the royal court and the world of humans.

Here, people serve the gods, perform dances, and take part in royal or religious ceremonies. It shows the connection between humans and the divine world above.

3. The Upper Level: The Heavenly World

The top section shows gods and goddesses, celestial beings (apsaras and devatas), and guardians with calm faces and graceful poses.

This part represents heaven, where the gods live and watch over the world below.

Together, the three layers tell the story of the universe in Khmer belief, from the dark underworld to the bright heaven, showing the journey from earthly life to spiritual freedom.

The carvings on the hidden wall are not just decorations. They tell a spiritual story, a journey from the underworld (nagas and water creatures) to the human world (royal life) and finally to the heavenly world (gods and celestial beings). The wall itself was hidden, like a secret layer of the universe, waiting to be discovered.