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ArchitecturePrasat Pre Rup
Similar to other Early Angkorian temples, Pre Rup is the brick temple on the top of the stepped-pyramidal platforms. However, the further development is noticeable from the multiplicity of the main temple from one to five in number. Below the platform are the long halls which are the precursor of the elongate connected gallery in the later period. These halls were presumably functioned as the lodges or the treasuries for the temple. In the front exists the rectangular platform, possible to be the base for the statue of Nandi which already lost.
ArchitectureElongate Salle: Prasat Pre Rup
At Prasat PreR up, the elongate pavilions surrounding the main complex were firstly introduced. These pavilions are possible to be the storages or the rest houses. Interestingly, these pavilions are not yet the connected ones. This anticipates the connected elongate gallery which would be firstly initiated at Prasat Takeo.
ArchitecturePrasat East Mebon
East Mebon, very similar to Pre Rup, is the temple with 5 towers on the top of the stepped platforms. However the stepped platforms here are lower than those of Pre Rup. As this temple was dedicated to the ancestors, the flatter platform is provided ancestral temple in accordance with the Devaraja cult conceptualization in Cambodia. This temple locates in the middle of East Baray, comparable to Lolei which is also located in the middle of the reservoir Indratadaga.
ArchitectureBases: Prasat East Mebon
Prasat East Mebon locates in the middle of the East Reservoir, or the East Baray. The laterite stepped bases at this temple are, therefore, the barks of the artificial island in the middle of the lake. However, the lake is nowadays dried up. The laterite is strong enough to support the temple but it is not suitable to be carved. At every corner of the complex there are sculptures of elephants.
ArchitectureGateway: Prasat Banteay Srei
Gopura or the gateway of Prasat Banteay Srei is decorated with the triangular pediment. The shape of the pediment is obviously derived from the timber origin while the scrolls at the both ends of the gable are associated with the Makara’s trunk. This kind of pediment has been used before at Koh Ker and it has been continued to some Baphoun-period temples, including Preah Vihear.
ArchitectureMandapa: Prasat Banteay Srei
Prasat Banteay Srei is the temple on the flat platform. The central axis is emphasized by the rectangular front-hall (Maṇḍapa) in the east-west axis. This hall is normally functioned as the ceremonial hall for all devotees who were prohibited to enter the sanctum. The front pediment depicts Indra on the elephant Airavata, the god of the east. This god is normally depicted at this direction even though the temple does not belong to him.
SculptureMain Tower: Prasat Banteay Srei
Banteay Srei is the triple temples rested on the flat platform. The central tower is dedicated to Shiva. Although there is no inscription mentioning to whom the subsidiary ones were dedicated, they are possible to be dedicated to Uma and Ganga, two consorts of Shiva, as the attendants carving on these temple are only female. These towers are made of sandstone, typical to the Late Angkorian period. However the older fashion is still visible, such as the three-sided false doors and the miniature temples that are decorated at the corner of the superstructure.
ArchitectureMain Tower: Prasat Banteay Srei
Banteay Srei is the temple comprising three towers sharing the same platform. Whereas the central tower was dedicated to Śiva, the flanking towers are not sure to whom did these temple belong. They are however possible to dedicate to his two consorts Umā and Gangā because these temple are only decorated with female attendants. The characters of these three towers are typical to the late Angkorian period. The towers are of stone while the doors are blind. The corners of the superstructure are decorated with the miniature temples, differing from Angkor Wat period temple which is normally decorated by the antefixes.
