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ArchitectureDon Khum Ngoen
Fallen to a state of dilapidated and ruined, thus causes the irregularity of a formal structure of Khmer temple at this monument. For instance, sandstone slabs for construction are significantly thinner than normal, also there are some traces indicating a number of sandstone slaps were used to building enclosure rather than the sanctuary.The complex is composed of the decrepit sandstone tower with only its foundation remains which makes it impossible to understand the original form of the tower. At the east front of the main tower there is a sandstone slabs-lined square pool with stairs. A rectangular building located northeast of the main temple with the sandstone wall was the building which housed Mahendravarman’s inscription on the bull statue’s pedestal. Its surrounding area shows parts of sandstone barriers, most importantly a conduit for a libation or somasutra on the western side which probably ran from the cella or the pool.
ArchitecturePhra That Phnom
Phra That Phnom is a brick stupa in sqaure plan. The anda is not plastered, but decorated by virtual niches and round pilasters. Each corner is decorated by floral-pattern and figure of a man riding an animal. These features can be related to the Mythology of Uranghathat that Umong (Ubmung) was built by four kings. The upper chamber is beneath the square-bell-shaped top, which is the unique element of Lanchang Art.
ArchitectureThe Main Sanctuary of Prasat Phimai
The main sanctuary was built of white sandstone and oriented toward the south. Its plan consists of an indented-plan tower with entrances on the northern, eastern and western sides leading to the cella or garbhagrha. The antarala is on the southern side connecting the rectangular mandapa of which its entrances are on the southern, (initially, this area should house a statue hence the blocked pathway), eastern and western sides. On the ridge of the roofs of porticos, antarala and mandapa are adorned with finials (brali).Each tier of the stepped roofs is a miniature-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 garbhagrha housesa a Bayon sculpture of Buddha sheltered by naga, therefore this buddha statue was not the original statue of the older main sanctuary. There is also a somasutra or a drainage channel leading northeastward.
ArchitecturePrasat Phimai
Prasat Phimai locates in the center of the town and is oriented toward the south. Main buildings of temple complex from the entrance to the main sanctuary are as followed;1. a cruciform naga terrace, from the southwest of the terrace is a rectangular building commonly referred to as a disrobing pavilion2. the cruciform naga terrace leads to the entrance gopuras and enclosure wall, with imposing cruciform gate (gopura) on four sides.3. following the southern entrance gopura is a causeway which connects the southern entrance gopura of the outer enclosure and the southern entrance of the gallery. Originally the causeway had a tiled-wooden beam roof.4. an area between the outer enclosure and gallery there are two libraries to the west as well as four ponds at the four corners closed to the enclosure wall.5. the inner gallery surrounds the central and most holy area of the temple. Four cruciform gopura serve as an entrance on each side of the gallery. 6. at the centre of the complex, the white sandstone main sanctuary was erected and oriented to the south. There are also lesser buildings scattered around in the same area such as Prang Brahmadat to the southeast, Ho Brahma (Brahmin Hall) and Prang Hin Daeng (Red Stone Tower) are on the southwest, and to the east found a base of some building possibly a pavilion.
ArchitecturePhra That Sri Songrak
Phra That Sri Songrak is a brick-and-stucco stupa. The pyramidal platforms are in square plan. while the upper pedestals with a large pointed wire or Bua Khao Prom in multi-edges plan. This wire may be the developement of Ayutthaya Singha pedestal, which is normally under the lotus pedestal. The falling lotus bud has flisked tip, which is known in Lanchang Art as Bua Ngon pedestal. The anda is quite cylindrical in square plan and decorated with stucco sheath at each corner. A small ballang and a cylindrical finial can be compared to the top part of normal bell-shaped stupa in circular plan.
ArchitecturePrasat Muang Tam’s central sanctuary
The central sanctuary of Prasat Muang Tam consists of five towers (prangs), three at the front row and two at the back row which were arranged diagonally to the towers at the front row. All five towers facing east were collectively built on a large laterite base. The front middle tower functions as the principal sanctuary, now collapsed. A foundation is all that remains of the tower which is plainly larger than the other towers. Four towers are all the same size with a laterite base whereas a sanctum (ruen that) and multi-tiered roof were made with bricks and mortar. The doors to the cella are on the east. The inner sanctums would usually house the statues which currently only plinths remain which makes identifying the cult statues impossible.
ArchitecturePrasat Phanom Rung
Prasat Phanom Rung is a massive monument on a hill-top and faces east. Principal buildings from the front or the east leading to the central sanctuary are as follow;1. Greek-cross entrance gate (gopura) - only a laterite base remains, the upper parts are possibly made of wood.2. Disrobing pavilion, north of the entrance gate3. Processional walkway, beyond the entrance gate, flanked by pillars. The walkway is then terminated by the Naga bridge with a cross-shaped terrace4. The Naga bridge leads to the 5 sets of upper stairway climbing up the inner sanctuary, namely the central sanctuary and other principal buildings.5. Outside of the gallery to the east, there is a base of a building probably a wooden hall which explains why its main body was already gone as wood is not a sustainable material. A large amount of roof tiles were uncovered in the area. The layout of the floor plan is in a cross-shaped form leaving 4 ditches on the ground. This building used to connect to a colonnade, now ruined, enclosing the sandstone gallery6. The sandstone and laterite gallery with gopuras on all four sides surrounding the main sanctuary and other minor buildings. 7. The main sandstone sanctuary surrounded by the gallery faces east. Apart from the main sanctuary other minor buildings in the compound are two brick towers to the north, the lesser tower to the southwest and two rectangular plan libraries to the northeast and southeast.
ArchitectureThe Main Sanctuary of Prasat Phanom Rung
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 garbhagrha houses a shivalinga with a somasutra, a sandstone channel used to drain away water used during ceremonies at the north portico. The mandapa contains the Nandi Bull statue, there are also carved stone blocks depicting guardian deities here, and elsewhere in porticos and around the base of the main sanctuary.
