Saturday, June 1, 2024

Ta Som Temple

Ta Som: the "Ancestor Som"

Location: east of Neak Pean temple 
Date: Early 13th century 
King: Jayavarman VII (reigned 1181-1220) 
Religion: Buddhist (dedicated to the father of the king) 
Art style: Bayon 

Ta Som Temple is located east of Neak Pean Temple. It was built in the early 13th century by King Jayavarman VII, and dedicated to his father. A significant feature of Ta Som is the growth of a huge ficus tree on the east gopura, which provides a dramatic example of nature and art entwined. 

Ta Som is a single shrine on one level surrounded by three laterite enclosure walls. There are gopuras on the east and west sides, which are cruciform in shape with a small room on each side and windows with balusters. The superstructures are carved with four faces. 

 

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