Phimeanakas is located inside the enclosure of the Royal Palace of Angkor Thom north of Baphuon
Phimeanakas can be reached on foot either from Prah Palilay or from
the Terrace of the Elephants. Pass through the gap in the south side of
the enclosing wall of Prah and walk straight for about 200 meters (656
feet); turn left to the east and right at the first path, then follow it
until you reach the temple. Or walk across the Terrace of Elephants
at the entrance closest to the Victory Gate road and walk through an
entry tower; then follow the path until you reach the temple.
Enter Phimeanakas from the east entrance. It is possible to leave by
the south gate and walk through a space in the enclosing wall to the
east entrance of the Baphuon.
Tip: for those who want to climb to the Central Sanctuary, use the west stairway, which is in the best condition.
Phimean Akas was built in late tenth century-beginning of the 11th century by King Jayavamen V and Udayadityavarman I and dedicated to Hindu with art style of Kleang.
BACKGROUND
The
temple of Phimeanakas is situated near the center of the area enclosed
by the walls of the Royal Palace. It must originally have been crowned
with a golden pinnacle, as Zhou Daguan described it as the Tower of Gold
The temple is built of roughly hewn sandstone blocks and has little
decoration.
According to legend there was a gold tower (Phimeanakas ) inside the royal palace of Angkor
the Great where a serpent-spirit with nine heads lived. The spirit
appeared to the Khmer king disguised as a woman and the king had to
sleep with her every night in the tower before he joined his wives and
concubines in another part of the palace. If the king missed even one
night it was believed he would die. In this way the royal lineage of the
Khmer was perpetuated.
Layout
The general plan of Phimeanakas is rectangular. the temple originally consisted of a Central Sanctuary on a tiered base and an enclosing wall. The grounds around the sanctuary included several courts and ponds.
The general plan of Phimeanakas is rectangular. the temple originally consisted of a Central Sanctuary on a tiered base and an enclosing wall. The grounds around the sanctuary included several courts and ponds.
A laetrile wall encloses the temple and a second enclosing wall was built at a later date. Next there is a dry moat.
The sandstone entry tower at the east is in the shape of a cross
with two wings; the lintels have a central motif of a head of a Kala and
the window frame is inscribed. These features are not shown on the
plan.: eave the tower and walk towards the main sanctuary. On the right
(north) there is a pond with molding and laetrile steps. It may have
been a part of the palace reserved for woman.
Return to the center walkway; after leaving the entry tower turn
right and follow a path until you come to another large pond paved in
laterite with sandstone steps. It was bordered by two stairways with
bas0reliefs-along the side there are serpents in animal and human form
surrounded by serpent-princesses; on the top there are male and female
Garudas and mythical winged figures.
This entire area was probably crowned by a serpent balustrade and may
have served as a gallery for the sovereign and dignitaries of the
court. It is separated from the north-enclosing wall by paved causeways
and from another pond on the east.
CENTRAL SANCTUARY
The single sanctuary is on a base with three laterite tiers. It is approached by four steep stairways, one on each side. These stairways are framed by walls with six projections- two per step –decorated with lions. Elephants once stood on sandstone pedestals in the corners of the base but today they are mostly broken.
The single sanctuary is on a base with three laterite tiers. It is approached by four steep stairways, one on each side. These stairways are framed by walls with six projections- two per step –decorated with lions. Elephants once stood on sandstone pedestals in the corners of the base but today they are mostly broken.
UPPER TERRACE
The upper terrace affords a spectacular view of the neighboring temple of Baphuon. A narrow covered sandstone gallery (2) with windows and balusters at the edge of the upper terrace is a unique architectural feature. There were small pavilions at the corners but only vestiges remain. tourismcambodia
The upper terrace affords a spectacular view of the neighboring temple of Baphuon. A narrow covered sandstone gallery (2) with windows and balusters at the edge of the upper terrace is a unique architectural feature. There were small pavilions at the corners but only vestiges remain. tourismcambodia
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