Preah Ko

Preah Ko holds the distinction of being the inaugural temple constructed in the ancient city of Hariharalaya, now located in the Roluos region, approximately 15 kilometers southeast of the principal temple complex at Angkor, Siem Reap province, the Kingdom of Cambodia. This temple was commissioned in the late 9th century by Khmer King Indravarman I, with the intention of honoring the king's family members and establishing their connection to the Hindu deity Shiva.

Bakong

Bakong is recognized as the first sandstone temple mountain constructed by the ruler of the Khmer Empire. Situated near present-day Siem Reap in Cambodia, it served as the official state temple for King Indravarman I during the latter part of the 9th century AD. This significant structure is located in the ancient city of Hariharalaya, an area known today as Roluos.

Lolei

Lolei is recognized as the northernmost temple within the Roluos group, a collection of three late 9th century Hindu temples located in Angkor, Siem Reap province, the Kingdom of Cambodia. The other two temples in this group are Preah Ko and Bakong. Constructed as part of the thrivingly ancient city of Hariharalaya, Lolei was the last of the three temples to be built. On July 8, 893, King Yasovarman I, who ruled from 889 to 910, dedicated the temple to Shiva and the royal family. The name "Lolei" is believed to be a modern corruption of the ancient name "Hariharalaya," translating to "the city of Harihara." Originally designated as "Ishvaraloka," meaning "the Realm of the Supreme God," the name change occurred after the decline of the Khmer Empire, which lasted from 802 until 1431 AD.

Prasat Beng Mealea

Beng Mealea Temple, meaning the temple of Lotus Pond, or Boeng Mealea is a temple from Angkor Wat period, located 77 km from Siem Reap by road. This temple was built as a Hindu temple to dedicate to God Vishnu by King Suriyavaraman II completed in the early 12th century. Notably, this temple was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on March 27, 2020, in the Cultural category.

Banteay Srei

Banteay Srei, commonly known as the “Citadel of Women” or the “Citadel of Beauty,” is a remarkable 10th-century temple in Cambodia dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva. Situated approximately 25 kilometers northeast of the famed Angkor temple complex, near Phnom Dei, Banteay Srei is distinguished by its exquisite carvings and the unique use of pink sandstone in its construction. The temple was consecrated on April 22, 967 CE, and is notable within the context of Angkorian architecture for its origins; it was not commissioned by royalty. Instead, Banteay Srei was constructed by two courtiers, Yajnavaraha and Vishnukumara, who served as counselors to King Rajendravarman II. This aspect underscores the significant role and influence of non-royal patrons within ancient Khmer society, marking Banteay Srei as a notable landmark in both historical and cultural terms.

Banteay Samre

Banteay Samré, known as the “Citadel of the Samré,” is a remarkable temple nestled in Angkor, Cambodia, just about 400 meters east of East Baray. Erected during the reigns of Suryavarman II and Yasovarman II in the early 12th century, this temple beautifully showcases the Hindu architectural style that is emblematic of Angkor Wat. Its name pays homage to the ancient Samré people who inhabited Indochina. Featuring a striking single ogival tower, the temple exemplifies the classic characteristics of Angkor Wat design. The layout and aesthetics are reminiscent of other significant temples nearby, including Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda. Between 1936 and 1944, Banteay Samré was meticulously restored by the talented Maurice Glaize, ensuring its beauty and history are preserved for generations to come.

Phnom Bakheng

Phnom Bakheng, a hill of Bakheng, serves as a significant temple mountain located in Siem Reap Province of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Constructed during the late 9th to early 10th centuries under the reign of King Yasovarman I, who ruled from 889 to 910, this Hindu temple is dedicated to the deity Shiva. Notably, Bakheng temple predates Angkor Wat by over 200 years and once functioned as the principal temple within the Angkor region. It was a central architectural feature of a new capital called Yasodharapura, the City that Bestows Glory, established by a Khmer king Yasovarman I when relocating the court from the earlier capital, Hariharalaya, situated approximately 13 km to the southeast of modern-day Siem Reap. The Phnom Bakheng temple is not only a cultural treasure but also a premier destination for those wishing to witness the breathtaking Angkor sunsets.

Pre Rup

The structure was devoted to the Hindu deity Shiva and likely stands on the site of a previous Shivaite ashram established by Yasovarman I. Following the reign of Jayavarman IV, whose capital had shifted to Kor Ker, there was a power struggle that ensued. Harshavarman II, one of Jayavarman IV's sons, ascended the throne but passed away after a short period. His cousin then took control of the throne and reinstated Angkor as the capital. The new ruler, Rajendravarman II, selected the central area of the South bank of the East Baray to build his capital, with Pre Rup at its heart. One century earlier, Yasovarman I had laid out a series of four ashrams honoring Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, and Buddha along the South bank of the baray. It is believed that the talented architect Kavindrari-mathana, associated with Rajendravarman II, contributed to the construction of Pre Rup, despite likely having passed away by the time the site was completed in 961 or early 962.

East Mebon

East Mebon, a remarkable temple, was constructed in the heart of the now-parched East Baray, historically known as Yasodharatataka. Commissioned by King Rajendravarman II in 952 AD, it was dedicated to the revered Hindu deity, Shiva. Interestingly, East Mebon did not serve as the state temple for the king; that honor went to Pre Rup, which was completed less than a decade later. It is believed that East Mebon fell into abandonment in the 16th century, much like many other temples scattered throughout Angkor. This architectural gem caught the attention of French explorers in the 19th century, leading to its rediscovery, and it underwent restoration in the 1930s to preserve its historical significance.

Ta Som

Ta Som, meaning 'the Ancestor Som', is situated just east of the Northern Baray, also known as Jayatataka baray. This reservoir is notable for being the last of the grand water works constructed during the Khmer Empire, located within the Angkor Archaeological site in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Dating back to the late 12th century or early 13th century, Ta Som was built under King Jayavarman VII in honor of his father, Dharanindravarman II, who ruled from 1150 to 1160. This Buddhist temple is nestled at the east dike of the Baray, slightly north of the alignment created by Neak Pean and Preah Khan to the west. It is likely the temple referenced in the inscription of Preah Khan as Gaurasrigajarathna, meaning 'the Jewel of the Propitious White Elephant,' and it is believed to have contained 22 or 24 deities. Similar to the nearby temples of Preah Khan and Ta Prohm, Ta Som remains largely untouched, with trees and vegetation intertwined with its ruins.

Neak Pean

Neak Poan, also known as Neak Pean, which translates to "the entwined serpents," is an intriguing artificial island located within the Angkor Archaeological Site in Cambodia. This beautiful spot features a Hindu temple set upon a circular island in the Northern Baray, also called Jayatataka Baray, which is the last of the grand reservoirs constructed in Angkor. It is closely connected to the Preah Khan temple, built in the late 12th century in the Bayon style under the reign of King Jayavarman VII. Though commonly referred to as Neak Poan, its original name was Rajyashri, meaning "the Fortune of the Kingdom," as noted on the stele of Preah Khan. Constructed from sandstone and laterite, this temple rests on a lake and was initially dedicated to Buddha Avalokitesvara. Rajyashri was originally designed with medicinal purposes in mind. The ancients believed that bathing in these pools would help restore balance among the body's elements, thereby promoting healing.

Preah Khan

Preah Khan is a vast Buddhist complex covering an impressive 56 hectares, constructed to commemorate King Jayavarman VII's triumph over the Chams. This temple is central to a group that also features Neak Poan and Ta Som, all situated along the 4-kilometer stretch of Jayatataka Baray—the last major reservoir built in Angkor. The site was notorious as a battlefield during the bloody encounter in 1177, when the Chams, led by their king Jaya Indravarman IV, attacked and seized Angkor. However, by 1181, King Jayavarman VII successfully reclaimed the territory. The contemporary name, Preah Khad, translates to "sacred sword," drawing from the original title, Nagara Jayasri, meaning "the city of victorious sword."

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat, originally known as Barumpisnulouk, is a remarkable Hindu-Buddhist temple complex situated in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Encompassing a substantial area of 162.6 hectares, it forms part of the ancient Khmer capital city of Angkor. Constructed in the 12th century under the reign of King Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat was initially dedicated to the Hindu deity Vishnu, but it later transitioned into a Buddhist temple. Furthermore, it functioned as both a state temple and a mausoleum for King Suryavarman II. The architectural design of Angkor Wat harmoniously blends two primary styles of Khmer temple architecture: the temple-mountain and the galleried temple. Careful attention to detail is evident in its design, which represents Mount Meru, the mythical dwelling place of the deities in Hindu cosmology. The temple's magnificence is enhanced by its architectural coherence, intricate bas-reliefs, and the numerous devatas (celestial beings) that embellish its walls.

Srah Srang

Sras Srang was excavated in the mid-10th century under the guidance of Kavindrarimathana, a prominent architect during King Rajendravarman II's rule from 944 to 968. Around 1200, King Jayavarman VII made modifications, adding a laterite landing stage on the western side, likely in response to sediment issues that had rendered the East Baray ineffective. Interestingly, some structures beneath the lake hint at the existence of a small island that once supported a pavilion, likely made from perishable materials. Additionally, a cemetery spanning 1600 square meters was found at the northwest corner of the reservoir. This site contained mortuary jars with cremated remains and various artifacts dating back to the reign of Udayadityavarman II, who ruled from 1050 to 1060, unearthed by Bernard Philippe Groslier, a French archeologist known for his explorations in Angkor.

Banteay Kdei

Banteay Kdei, meaning “A Citadel of Chambers”, also known as the “Citadel of Monks’ Cells”, is a Buddhist temple in Angkor, Cambodia. Built during the 12th to early 13th centuries AD, Banteay Kdei was commissioned by King Jayavarman VII during his reign. It follows the Bayon architectural style, similar to Ta Prohm and Preah Khan but on a smaller scale.

Ta Prohm Temple

Built by the great Khmer king Jayavarman VII in 1186 A.D in honor of his family. The temple's main image, representing Prajnaparamita, the "Perfection of Wisdom", was modeled on the king's mother, Queen Sri Jayarajacudamani. The northern and southern satellite temples in the third enclosure were dedicated to the king's guru, Jayamangalartha, and his elder brother, Jayakirtideva, respectively. Ta Prohm was left largely untouched by archaeologists, except for the clearing of a path for visitors and structural strengthening to stave off further deterioration. Because of its natural state, it is possible to experience at this temple some of the wonders of the early explorers, when they came upon these monuments in the middle of the 19th century. Shrouded in jungle, the temple of Ta Prohm is ethereal in aspect and conjures up a romantic aura.

Ta Keo

Jayavarman V ascended to the throne at the young age of ten, following the reign of his father, Rajendravarman, in 968. His early tenure was marked by turbulence, with court officials exerting significant influence over royal affairs. At 17, in 975, he embarked on the ambitious project of constructing his state temple, known today as Ta Keo, which was dedicated around the year 1000. In historical inscriptions from that era, the temple is referred to as Hemagiri or Hemasringagiri, meaning "the mountain with golden summits."

Thommanon

The temple's name originates from the Pali terms “Dhamma,” which translates to “Buddhist teachings,” and “Nanda,” meaning “supreme wisdom.” This etymology highlights its spiritual importance. Researchers examining the intricate carvings of the devatas at Thommanon suggest that the temple was constructed around the same period that work commenced on Angkor Wat. However, there is some debate regarding the exact date of its establishment. Some experts argue that the unique representations of female figures, or devatas, point to a construction during the reign of Jayavarman VI, around the late 11th century. Conversely, a broader consensus, bolstered by academic research, indicates that Thommanon was likely erected by Suryavarman II between 1113 and 1150 AD, in conjunction with the building of Angkor Wat and Beng Mealea. Thommanon is conveniently located directly opposite Chau Say Tevoda and just 500 meters east of the Victory Gate, along the route to Ta Keo temple.

Bayon Temple

The Bayon temple, constructed in the late 12th to early 13th century, served as the state temple for King Jayavarman VII and is located at the heart of his capital, Angkor Thom. One of its most notable characteristics is the numerous serene and smiling stone faces that adorn its surfaces, which are often believed to represent the Buddha and may have been modeled after King Jayavarman VII himself. This temple exemplifies the baroque style of Khmer architecture, presenting a striking contrast to the classical design seen in Angkor Wat. As a mountain temple, the Bayon symbolizes Mount Meru, considered the cosmic center within Hindu and Buddhist cosmology. Its towers are arranged around a central peak, contributing to an ethereal and transcendent ambiance.