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Wat Ek Phnom

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Hindu temple in Battambang, Cambodia
Wat Ek Phnom
Wat Ek PhnomWat Ek Phnom
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
ProvinceBattambang
Location
CountryCambodia
Wat Ek Phnom is located in CambodiaWat Ek PhnomLocation in Cambodia
Geographic coordinates13°09′46″N 103°11′18″E / 13.16278°N 103.18833°E / 13.16278; 103.18833
Architecture
TypeKhmer (Khleang and Baphuon styles)
CreatorSuryavarman I
Completed1027 A.D.

Wat Ek Phnom is an Angkorian temple located on the left side of the Sangkae River at the small creek of Prek Daun Taev northwest the Peam Aek spot approximately 9 km north of the city of Battambang in north western Cambodia. It is a Hindu temple built in the 11th century under the rule of King Suryavarman I. Although partly collapsed and looted it is famous for its well-carved lintels and pediments.

The site

An enormous white-stone sitting Buddha statue leads to the modern Buddhist pagoda Ek Phnom surrounded by 18 Bodhi Trees. The site is deemed as a very popular picnic and pilgrimage destination for Khmers at celebration times. The pagoda opens the way to the ruins of the ancient hinduist temple. The ancient temple, built of sandstone blocks and enclosed by the remains of a laterite outer wall and a Baray, consists of small temples or prasats on a platform and measures 52m by 49m. Mostly reduced to ruins today only the main towers of the temple remain standing whose upper flanks hold some fine bas-reliefs.

Bas-reliefs

The bas-reliefs depict events of Hindu mythology mostly referring to Krishna. In the same way as Krishna, Suryavarman I carried out institutional reforms of the state

Images of Wat Ek Phnom

  • Buddha statue Buddha statue
  • modern Wat Ek Phnom modern Wat Ek Phnom

Images of the ancient Ek Phnom temple

  • Lintel of the central tower: Krishna, lifting Govardhana hill and fighting the Kaliya snake, whilst standing on a kala Lintel of the central tower: Krishna, lifting Govardhana hill and fighting the Kaliya snake, whilst standing on a kala
  • Lintel above the north door: Krishna taming horses whilst standing on kala Lintel above the north door: Krishna taming horses whilst standing on kala
  • Lintel with pediment Lintel with pediment

References

  1. "History of Ek Phnom". 4 May 2008.
  2. "Buddhism in the Numbers".
  3. "Ek Phnom Temple". 30 March 2015.
  4. Chandler, p.48-51.
  5. "Krishna and horses in Indian mythology".

Bibliography

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