Preah Vihear temple has the most spectacular setting of all the temples built during the six-century-long Khmer empire. As a key edifice of the empire's spiritual life, it was supported and modified by successive kings and so bears elements of several architectural styles. Being built in the 9th century, the oldest parts of Preah Vihear have remained since the Koh Ker time dated back the early 10th century when the capital of Khmer dynasty was near Angkor.
The temple was designed in Banteay Srei style by the end of the 10th century. Since then, majority of the temple structure adapted the architecture of Suryayarman I and Suryayarman II dynasties on the first half of 11st and 12th century. Especially, relics found in the temple have depicted the rituals, religious festivals and some presents for the King (like elephant, golden bow…) in the Suryavarman II time.
The Preah Vihear from the outside
The temple is unusual among Khmer temples in being constructed a long north-south axis, rather than having the conventional rectangular plan toward the east, and was obviously built to serve the region to the north.
Among other temples, Preah Vihear is a unique architectural complex of series of sanctuaries linked by a system of pavements and staircases on an 800-metre-long axis. Moreover, it is an outstanding masterpiece of Khmer architecture, in terms of plan, decoration and relationship to the spectacular landscape environment.
The structure of Preah Vihear is different from other temples in Angkor, it is dedicated to the god on Meru peak. On the way to the temple you will see 5 big columns numbered from the outside. You have to make some steps to reach each column, which is at different elevation but you cannot view the panorama until you come to the main gate.
The fifth column was built in the Koh Ker design and still remained red paint marks. The fourth column is behind the fifth, built from the Khleang/ Baphuon dynasty and considered as “the masterpiece of Preah Vihear”. The third biggest column is in the middle of 2 large rooms. If you want to come to the temple, you have to go through 2 connecting yards.
The Preah Vihear is an attracting site concerned by both Cambodia and Thailand. In the end 1998, Thailand opened one way for the tourists visiting. The temple is called Khao Phra Viharn in Thailand language. Till now, Cambodia also completed its way to the temple in 2003.
The other way leading to the temple is the Prasat Khao Phra Wihan national park, Thailand where you can visit Preah Vihear without visa.
(www.cambodiatours.com)
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