The Beginning of Khmer Art - Bakong Temple.

Bakong Temple is the largest and most important temple in the Rolous Group, located about fifteen kilometers east of Siem Reap city, and is part of the outer circuit. Bakong Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva, built by King Indravarman I. Before constructing Bakong Temple, this royal temple, Indravarman I first built the ancestral temple Preah Ko to honor the former kings of the Angkor dynasty, Jayavarman II and Jayavarman I, as well as their parents, and then in 881, he constructed this first temple mountain - Bakong Temple, which is also the first known temple in the Angkor dynasty to use sandstone blocks instead of bricks. Bakong Temple is the first temple architecture designed with the concept of Mount Meru as the center of the universe. Its main structure is a five-tiered square pyramid, with the base side measuring 65 meters. The five tiers represent the deities and demons of the five realms in Indian mythology, including Garuda, Yakshas, Naga, Rakshasas, and the Maharajas at the top. Since the temple's architecture and carvings were made of stone, they are relatively well-preserved, and the carvings are easily recognizable, making restoration easier. However, after over a thousand years of natural and man-made disasters, Bakong Temple had become a ruin. French monument restoration experts began restoring Bakong Temple in 1936, and after seven years of effort, it was largely restored to its original appearance by 1943. The steep staircase leading to the top of Bakong Temple allows visitors to reach the 15-meter-high pagoda at the summit, which is highly recognizable and can be seen from a distance. However, upon closer inspection, the architectural style of this pagoda is quite different from the original period. Scholars speculate that this top pagoda was added in the 12th century by King Yasovarman II, three hundred years after the original construction, hence the difference in architectural style. Climbing to the top of Bakong Temple is not easy; in addition to the steep stairs, the steps become smaller as one ascends, making it quite challenging. However, if one can reach the top platform, the effort is worthwhile, as the view of the Bakong Temple complex below is especially magnificent. In addition to the main structures mentioned above, the highlights of Bakong Temple that should not be missed, and are also the easiest to overlook, include its carvings. Bas-relief decorations abound on the outer walls, triangular pediments, and so on, depicting various Hindu mythological stories. The most worthy of viewing here are the stories carved on the four door lintels of the top pagoda, including carvings of the god Shiva, Vishnu, the Hindu creation myth of the churning of the ocean of milk, and the most exciting story from the Indian epic Ramayana. Thanks to the efforts of monument restoration experts, these bas-reliefs are now well-preserved, allowing the world to rediscover them. Lastly, it is worth mentioning that the image on the current 100 Cambodian riel banknote is that of Bakong Temple. Next time you visit, you might want to compare it with a 100 riel banknote. Ticket Price: General admission ticket, one-day pass $37, three-day pass $62, seven-day pass $72 Opening Hours: 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM Address: Prasat Bakong, Siem Reap Province, Kingdom of Cambodia.