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 impressive temple in the Roluos group, dedicated to Shiva and built by Indravarman I in the late 9th century. It is particularly highlighted by the light at the end of the day as you approach from its western side. Cleared by Henri Marchal in 1936, then restored by Maurice Glaize from 1936 to 1943, this is the temple that best corresponds to the idea of the five-level cosmic Meru, representing, from bottom to top, the worlds of the naga, garouda, rakshasa, yaksha and maharajas. The eight brick towers surrounding the temple symbolize the eight bodies of Shiva. In the past, statues of elephants and lions stood at the corners of each floor on the plinths of the stoops, the remains of which can still be seen today. A central tower once stood on the terrace, but was replaced in the 12th century by a tower in the style of Angkor Wat. Fragments of sculpture can also be seen, suggesting that the walls were once covered with exquisite bas-reliefs. Most striking of all, however, is its resemblance to the temple of Borobudur, Java, in many architectural details, from the walkways to the terraces to the staircases. Is this pure chance (unlikely) or did the Indonesian temple serve as a model for the Bakong? Is this evidence of trade with Indonesia? No document or inscription offers any explanation, so the mystery remains. Visit to find out!
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