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Photo: The ruins at Preah Khan Temple
Preah Khan Temple was built
by King Jayavarman VII in the second half of the
12th century and it was specially built
dedicated to Buddhism. Preah Khan can be seen
standing at the northeast part of Angkor Thom,
which is also the western part of Jayatataka
(Baray of Preah Khan)
Also known as the
Holy Sword Temple, it is shaped in a cruciform whereby
the entrance of its southern side is filled with
vines and stones while a two-storey building dominates its eastern
entrance. The temple has successive rectangular
galleries around a Buddhist sanctuary dotted by
Hindu temples. A notable attraction here is the
design on the outer wall depicting garudas
holding nagas at fifty meter intervals.
Visitors will have to walk across a
bridge to get to Preah Khan and the snake bridge
is used by most people to cross the moat. Each
entrance has a bridge over the moat with naga
carrying devas and asuras. This place has become a favorite among visitors from foreign
countries. Nearby places of interest include Prasat Prei, Prasat Tonle Snguot and Krol Romeas.
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