Baksei Chamkrong

Baksei Chamkrong
Baksei Chamkrong Location in Cambodia
Name
Proper name	Baksei Chamkrong
Geography
Coordinates	13°25′31″N 103°51′29″E / 13.4253122°N 103.8581318°ECoordinates: 13°25′31″N 103°51′29″E / 13.4253122°N 103.8581318°E
Country	Cambodia
Locale	Siem Reap
Culture
Primary deity	Shiva
Architecture
Architectural styles	Khmer
History and governance
Date built	968
Creator	Harshavarman I

Baksei Chamkrong (Khmer: ប្រាសាទបក្សីចាំក្រុង) is a small Hindu temple located in the Angkor complex (Siem Reap, Cambodia). It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and used to hold a golden image of him. The temple can be seen on the left side when entering Angkor Thom at the southern gate. It was dedicated to Yasovarman by his son, King Harshavarman I.^{[1]:114[2]:70,75} The temple was completed by Rajendravarman II (944-968).^[3]

Name

The name Baksei Chamkrong means "The Bird Who Shelters Under Its Wings" and comes from a legend. In it, the king tried to flee Angkor during a siege and then a huge bird landed and sheltered him under its wings.

Description

This temple is one of the first temples constructed of durable material such as bricks and laterite and with decoration in sandstone. Much of the stucco on the surface of the temple has vanished. The main sandstone lintel is decorated with a fine carving of Indra standing on his three-headed elephant Airavata. Garlands emanate from either side of Indra in the style current to the monument. There is an inscription on either side of the small doorway.

The pyramid measures 27 metres across at the base and 15 at the summit for an overall height of 13 metres.

Indra on Airavata, with Ganesh riding his trunk on either side, at Baksei Chamkrong, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Gallery

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  General view

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  Temple entrance

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  Stairs

References

1. Coedès, George (1968). Walter F. Vella, ed. The Indianized States of Southeast Asia. trans.Susan Brown Cowing. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 978-0-8248-0368-1.
2. Higham, C., 2001, The Civilization of Angkor, London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, ISBN 9781842125847
3. "The temple complex of Angkor Baksei Chamkrong". CambodianOnline.Net. Archived from the original on 13 October 2008. Retrieved October 13, 2008.