The Main Sanctuary of Prasat Phanom Rung

Most scholars agree that Prasat Phanom Rung dated back to early 12th century AD. on the grounds that the architectural style is mainly of the Angkor Wat period with some traits of the preceding style of Baphoun. None of inscriptions found at the site strictly identify a name of the patron, but it is believed that most of the constructions were plausibly commissioned by Narendraditya of the Mahindharapura dynasty. Because Prasat Phanom Rung inscriptions repeatedly refer to him and also state that he eventually ordained as a hermit sage (rishi) at this very locale.

The site was listed and declared an ancient monument in the Government Gazette no. 52, part 75, on 8 March 1935.

Experiences from the maintenance and restoration at Prasat Phimai aided the restoration projects at Prasat Phanom Rung greatly.

In 1971, the restoration project was funded 500,000 baht. The restoration was actually began in February 1972 by which the crumbled stone blocks around the main sanctuary were removed to outer area. The excavation of the ground surface was conducted after which the lesser tower was reconstructed with an anastylosis technique. The project was on a brief hiatus since September.

The project resumed in January 1973 with a budget of 1,000,000 baht. The restoration and maintenance focused on the large pond and the lesser tower. For the latter, the stone blocks were disassembled to the base in order to reconstruct and strengthen level by level with concrete and iron rod. The restoration continued at the pavilion's base, the processional walkway connecting the pavilion to the naga bridge, the ancient drainage sewers, removing piles of stone blocks around the main sanctuary on the western, northern and southern side, and at the east mandapa. The project was on another hiatus in September.

The next restoration started in February 1975 with another 1,000,000 baht budget. The final stage of restoring the main sanctuary was completed. Along the processional walkway was added with the original and new pillars. Some parts of the naga bridge were also excavated and restored.

In 1977, the restoration and maintenance of Prasat Phanom Rung project was listed as one of the agenda in the 4th National Economic and Social Development Plan under the name, Phanom Rung Historical Park. The park was officially opened by HRH Princhess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in 1988.

The main sanctuary or Prang, facing east, is built of sandstone. The sanctuary stands on an indented base. Porticos leading to the cella (garbhagrha) project from the northern, southern and western sides. On the eastern side is the antarala adjacent to the rectangular mandapa which its entrances on the east, north and south. On the ridge of the roofs of porticos, antarala and mandapa are adorned with finials (brali).

The stepped roofs consisted of 5 tiers; each tier a small-scale form of the sanctuary. The roofs are also adorned with the overhangs and cornered antefixes. On the very top is a kalasa or a water pot symbol, it is believed that there is a metal nine-tiered trident over the kalasa which is now lost.

The main sanctuary of Prasat Phanom Rung displays a major distinction between a local aesthetics and the Angkorian architectural archetype especially at the overhangs and cornered antefixes on each tier of the superstructure by which they slightly curve inward. This certain style also is also found at Prasat Phimai, hence demonstrates the way in which the ancient khmer art in Thailand is a different school from the ancient khmer art in Cambodia.

Prasat Phimai, as they shared similar characteristics such as the curved shape of the superstructure caused by the way in which the cornered antefixes and overhangs slightly curve inward. It is possible that the craftsmen at Prasat Phanomrung emulated the artistic style of Prasat Phimai.

ศิลปากร, กรม. ทะเบียนโบราณสถาน. กรุงเทพฯ : กรมศิลปากร, 2532.

ศิลปากร, กรม. ปราสาทพนมุร้ง. พิมพ์ครั้งที่ 5, กรุงเทพฯ : กรมศิลปากร, 2548.

สมบูรณ์ บุณยเวทย์ “บันทึกประสบการณ์ครั้งเริ่มบูรณะปราสาทหินพิมายและปราสาทหินพนมรุ้ง” ศิลปากร, (กันยายน-ตุลาคม 2541), หน้า 74 – 78.