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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.
ArchitecturePrasat Damrei Krap
Hoa Lai style of Cham architecture is characterized by the pilasters which are normally arranged in the series of four and the band decoration in the center of these pilasters. These characters are similar to Hoa Lai style in Vietnam. The Garuda decorating the capital is also reminiscent of the same pattern at Hoa Lai. However, this temple is unfinished because the band at the center of the pilasters is devoid of any motifs.
SculptureWall Carved: Prasat at Prasat Sombopraikuk
The Prasat is built from bricks located within the square plan. There is the pillar attached to each corner of the Prasat as well as the Ruean Tat (Middle Part of the Prasat). There is only one entrance with three others are seen but clogged. The roof are made in the replica pattern of Ruen Tat stacked up in the style of Vimana of Suthern Indian Art. The Prasat is located on a flat ground with no stacking base.
SculptureLintel
Lintel is a piece of architecture found in Khmer art. It is always mounted on the entrance door frame. The Lintel in the picture belongs to the Prei Kmeng Art which leads to Kampong Phra Art. It is characterized by the curved line which is drawn in a single straight line in the center of the lintel with the picture of tokens appear in the center of the curve line. This style belong to the Prei Kmeng Art. However, the tokens have been transformed into a leaf pattern which is identical with the pattern at both ends of the Lintel. This leaf pattern is later found its fame in the Kampon Phra Art.
ArchitecturePrasat Bakong
Prasat Bakong comprises the sole main tower on the top of the stepped pyramidal base surrounded by the series of small temples. In the front, there are the gateways leading towards the staircases. The base is surrounded by series of the bigger brick temples which located on the ground and scattered in several directions (not visible in the photo). Prasat Bakong is the example of the earliest stepped pyramidal based temple as the temple is without the complexity and the base supports only one temple on the top. The complexity of the temple would be increased in the later period.
ArchitectureSubsidiary Towers of Prasat Bakong
The subsidiary temples of Prasat Bakong are made of brick and decorated with stucco. These temples scatter in every directions of Prasat Bakong. There are eight in number. ( 2 temples in each direction as being seen in the photo)
ArchitectureMain Tower; Prasat Bakong
While the subsidiary temples are made of brick, the main tower is surprisingly constructed of sandstone and decorated with the later-period Angkor Wat-styled motif. This differs from the normal date of Prasat Bakong which is assigned to Prah Ko style. Possibly, the main tower was constructed later during the period of Angkor Wat for replacing the original brick temple which is possible to be dilapidated during that period. The characters of Angkor Wat style of temple are the redent body and the decoration of Apsara (female deities) at the corner of the temple as well as the decoration of the antefixes at the superstructure.
ArchitecturePrasat Trapang Pong
The temple is made of brick and decorated with stucco, typical to Preah Ko style. The body is decorated with the images of female deities which are similar to the pattern at Prasat Preah Ko and Prasat Lolei . The lintel and the colonnette are however made of stone. The lintel is dominated with the Kala face disgorging the garlands ended with Makaras, testifying the Javanese connection. The superstructure composes of the miniature multi-tiered roofs indicating South Indian connection whereas the central portion of the temple is articulated with the multi-angled pattern which is similar to those in Pre-Angkorian period. The combination of the styles is expected in this period as Preah Ko period is the transition between the Pre-Angkorian and Angkorian art.
