Baksei Chamkrong Temple is a small 10th-century temple near the South Gate of Angkor Thom, close to Phnom Bakheng. It was built as a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. The name means “the bird that shelters under its wings.”
The temple was started by King Harshavarman I and finished in 948 AD by King Rajendravarman II, who placed a golden statue of Shiva inside.
It is a stepped pyramid with four levels made of laterite, rising 13 meters high. Very steep staircases lead to the top platform where a single brick tower (prasat) stands. The main door faces east, while the other sides have false doors.
Some carvings remain, including Indra on his three-headed elephant and Genesha above the eastern doorway. An old inscription tells about the temple’s history and the king’s achievements.
Later, a reclining Buddha statue was added inside the tower.
The temple is located about 9Km north of Siem Reap, near Angkor Thom’s South Gate.
The temple was started by King Harshavarman I and finished in 948 AD by King Rajendravarman II, who placed a golden statue of Shiva inside.
It is a stepped pyramid with four levels made of laterite, rising 13 meters high. Very steep staircases lead to the top platform where a single brick tower (prasat) stands. The main door faces east, while the other sides have false doors.
Some carvings remain, including Indra on his three-headed elephant and Genesha above the eastern doorway. An old inscription tells about the temple’s history and the king’s achievements.
Later, a reclining Buddha statue was added inside the tower.
The temple is located about 9Km north of Siem Reap, near Angkor Thom’s South Gate.
