Prasat Wat Banan - Cambodia

Address

Prasat Wat Banan- Battambang province, Cambodia Phone: +855 12 534 177

Diety

Buddha

Introduction

Wat Banan is the best-preserved of the Khmer temples in Battambang Province. The distinctive five towers of the temple are similar to the much larger and more famous temple of Angkor Wat. At the base of the mountain, is a step laterite staircase flanked by nagas. It is known for its five monumental towers modeled on Angkor Wat temple.

Puranic Significance

King Udai Adityavarman II built the original shiva temple of Wat Banan in 1050. Later on, it was transformed into a Buddhist temple by King Jayavarman VII in 1219. The temple is constructed using sandstone and laterite. There is a 400-steps steep laterite staircase consisting of lintels with Naga statues at both ends. At the top is the temple with five tall towers with intricately carved lintels depicting mythological scenes from epics and many other details about the kings. Only some part of the temples remains preserved as most of it was ruined during the Khmer Rouge. There is a cave at the foot of the mountain leading to the temple.