Preah Khan temple is located 2km north-east of Angkor Thom on the Grand Circuit. The temple was built in the second half of the 12th century in AD 1191 by King Jayavarman VII, dedicated to his father Dharanindravarman. The Buddhist complex covers 56 hectares. The inscription indicates that Preah Khan was built on the battle site where King Jayavarman VII finally defeated Chams. In those days it was known as Nagarajayacri which means the city of Preah Khan.
Four concentric ramparts subdivide Preah Khan. The outer of the fourth wall, encircled by a wide moat, today encloses a large tract of jungle, formerly the living quarters of the monks, students, and attendants of Preah Khan. The second rampart delineated the principal religious compound of about four hectares within a dense concentration of temples and shrines. The central complex is Buddhist. The northern and western sectors are dedicated to Brahmanism- Vishnu (West) and Shiva (North), while the southern sector is a place of ancestor worship. The eastern sector forms the grand entrance to the central shrine.
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