Prasat Wat Ek Phnom - Cambodia

Address

Prasat Wat Ek Phnom- Krong Battambang, Cambodia

Diety

Buddha

Introduction

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 G Peam Aek spot approximately 9 km north of the city of Battambang in north western Cambodia. It is a Shiva 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. It is a popular attraction in Battambang temple ruins for its well-carved pediments and lintels.

Puranic Significance

Wat Ek Phnom was built during the Bayon period in the 11th century under the reign of King Suryavarman I. It was initially a Shiva temple, and later on, was turned into a Buddhist shrine after succeeding Buddhist kings undertook the construction of Buddhism related sculptures. An enormous white-stone sitting Buddha statue leads to the modern Buddhist pagoda Ek Phnom surrounded by 18 Bodhi Trees. The pagoda opens the way to the ruins of the ancient 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. The bas-reliefs depict events of mythology mostly referring to Krishna. In the same way as Krishna, Suryavarman I carried out institutional reforms of the state.

Special Features

Wat Ek Phnom is built of sandstone blocks. The sanatorium is surrounded by a laterite outer wall and a Baray, which consists of Prasats or small shrines. These shrines stand on a large square stone platform. Most of these sculptures in the temple premises are in ruins, with the only remaining structure being the main towers of the temple. There is a lintel depicting the churning of the Ocean of Milk above the eastern entrance. The upper flanks of the central tower contain some intricately carved bas-reliefs. Next to the temple area is Sangkae pond beside which is a colourful modern pagoda. The pagoda contains a giant 28 meters high Buddha statue, which is surrounded by 18 Bodhi trees, also called as Peacock trees in Khmer.