BAKONG
The finest temple in the Roluos group, built by Indravarman in the century, with 8 brick towers and dedicated to Shiva.
The Bakong is the most beautiful and the most impressive temple of the Roluos group, dedicated to Shiva and built by Indravarman I at the end of the 9th century. It is particularly highlighted by the light at the end of the day when one arrives on its western side. Cleared by Henri Marchal in 1936, then restored by Maurice Glaize from 1936 to 1943, it is the temple that best corresponds to the idea of the five-tiered cosmic Meru representing, from bottom to top, the worlds of the naga, garuda, rakshasa, yaksha and maharajas. The eight brick towers surrounding the temple symbolize the eight bodies of Shiva. In the past, on each floor, on the pedestals of the perrons, stood statues of elephants and lions, the remains of which can still be seen. On the terrace was erected a central tower which was replaced in the 12th century by a tower in the style of Angkor Wat. One can also note fragments of sculpture that suggest that the walls were once covered with bas-reliefs of great finesse. But most striking would be its resemblance to the temple of Borobudur, in Java, in many architectural details from the walkways to the stairs through the terraces. Is it a simple coincidence (unlikely) or did the Indonesian temple serve as a model for the Bakong? Is there evidence of trade with Indonesia? No document or inscription gives an explanation and the mystery remains. A visit to see for yourself!
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