Preah Ko, Bakong, Lolei
Tree temples Preah Ko,
Bakong and Lolei, 15km South-East of Siem Reap town,
comprise the Roluos Group of monuments. They are closed
together and extend over an area of 3km east of Great
Lake. The Roluos group, dating from the late ninth
century, is the earliest site of the 600-year Angkor
Period. The three temples belonging to this important
group have similarities of architecture, decoration
materials and construction methods which combine to
reveal the beginning of "Classic Period of Khmer Art".
Background
Roluos is the name of the
village and the site of an ancient center of Khmer
civilization known as Hariharalaya meaning the "abode of
Hari (Visnu) and Hara (Siva)". After Jayavarman II
established his capital to Hariharalaya, perhaps for a
better source of food or for defence purposes. He died at
Roluos in 850. It is generally believed that his successor
remained there until the capital was moved to Yasodharapura
in 905.
Preah Ko
(Sacred Bull)
- Date:
Late ninth century (879)
- Reign of construction:
King Indravarman I (877-889)
- Religion:
Çivait temple, built for king's ancestors
- Clearing Work: G.
Trouvé in 1932
- Art Style:
Preah Ko
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Lintel of Prah Ko |
Lay Out:
The center of
the temple of Preah Ko is a group of six towers in two rows,
built on a common terrace; it is enclosed by a first square wall
of 60m each side. The second wall is 95m each side; it has the
same entrances and encloses the library and annexes of mixed
construction. The outer enclosure is 800m by 450m and doubtless
a fence of stakes.
The three
towers in the front row are for paternal ancestors with male
guardians flanking the door ways. The three in the back row are
for maternal ancestors. Those ancestors were named as Gods and
goddesses and Çiva Lingas were installed, representing the
paternal ancestors.
- Sri Thivindresvara for
father.
- Sri Thivindradevi fo
mother.
- Sri Paramesvara for
Jayavarman II.
- Srir Dharanindradevi for
the wife of Jayavarman II.
- Sri Rudresvara for
materanl grand father.
- ................... for
maternal grand mother.
Bakong
(Kong of parternal ancestor)
- Date:
Late ninth century (881)
- Reign of construction:
Indravarman I (877-889)
- Cult:
Brahmanism (Çivait) Devaraja Indreçvara
- Clearance Work: H.
Marchal, in 1936
- Art Style:
Preah Ko
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Bakong |
Background:
Bakong was the
central temple of the capital of Hariharalaya. It fulfilled for
Hariharalaya the same role which the Bakheng played for
Yaçodharapura. This monument shows the first type of plan of
concentric enclosures, which, after the rectangular system. It
is a Mount temple representing the cosmic Mount Meru. five
levels leading to the central sanctury corresponds to the world
of mythical
beings:
- Nagas--layer
- Garuda--layer
- Raksasas--layer
- Yaksas--layer
- Maharajas--layer
Lolei
- Date:
end of the 9th century (893)
- Reign of
construction: Yaçovarman I (889 approx 910)
- Cult:
Brahmanism (Çivait), in memory of the King's ancestors.
- Art Style:
Transitional between Preah Ko and Bakong
The temple
of Lolei, which like the Mebon, occupies an island in the
middle of the artificial lake (Baray Indratadaka), only the
two tiered pyramid with four of the six towers which had
been planned, remain intact. The four towers are, contrary
to normal practice and in spite of the fact that the first
plan was abandoned, completely finished. Now they are very
badly ruined. A sandstone channel in the shape of a cross
situated in the centre of the four towers. The channel
extend in the cardinal directions from a square pedestal for
Linga.
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|
Lolei |
It is
speculated that holy water poured over the Linga flowed in the
channels. According to an inscription found at the temple, this
Baray used for irrigation the area of Hariharalaya.
The king
Yaçovarman I: the first founder of the city Yaçodharapura.
Birth Name :
Yaçovardhana, when he came to the throne he was named
Yaçovarman.
He ordered to
build 100 hermitages called Yaçodharacrm for every province in
the whole country.
According to
the stele at Sdok Kok Thom "Paramaçivaloka had founded
Yaçodharapura and he also brought Devaraja from Hariharalaya and
installed in the new city". "Royal Chaplain Vamaçiva had
installed Devaraja in the middle of the city". Central Mount is
Phnom Bakheng for installation of Linga Yaçodhareçvara (893)
He also ordered
to build the Eastern Baray: Yaçodharatadaka (7000m by 1800m) for
the purpose of water supply. On the southern bank of this Baray
he also built pilgrimages for religious purposes.
-
Brahmanasrm
for Çivait vehicle
-
Vaisnasrm
for Viçnuit vehicle
-
Saugatasrm
for Buddhism
He began to
build some temples:
-
Sikhariçvara on the Preah Vihea Mountain, dedicated to Çiva.
-
Bhadreçvara
at Çivapura (Phnom Sandok)
-
On Phnom
Bok dedicated to Trimurti.
-
On Phnom
Krom dedicated to Trimurti.
He was dead at
910 and got the posthumous name "Paramaçivaloka".
