- Phanom Rung historical park
creator =
proper_name = Phanom Rung
date_built = 10th - 13th Centuries CE
primary_deity =Shiva
architecture = Khmer
location =Buriram province ,Thailand Phanom Rung ( _th. ปราสาทพนมรุ้ง), or, with its full name, "Prasat Hin Phanom Rung" (Phanom Rung Stone Castle), is a Khmer temple complex set on the rim of an extinct volcano at 1,320 feet above sea level, in
Buriram province in theIsan region ofThailand . It was built insandstone andlaterite in the 10th to 13th centuries. It was aHindu shrine dedicated toShiva , and symbolisesMount Kailash , his heavenly dwelling.Thailand's Department of Fine Arts spent 17 years restoring the complex to its original state from
1971 till1988 . On 21 May,1988 , the park was officially opened by PrincessMaha Chakri Sirindhorn . ["Phnom Rung Historical Park". Retrieved July 9, 2006. Printed by Joseph Plastic Crad (Korat) and Print CO. Ltd.] In2005 , thetemple was submitted toUNESCO for consideration as a futureworld heritage site.Architecture
After the three-leveled lower stairway, the visitor finds himself on the first
cruciform platform with a first peek at the maintemple . On the right, northward, is Phlab Phla or the White Elephant House. The pavilion is believed to be the place where kings and the royal family would changeattire before rituals. Royalty would then enter the Processional Walkway, one of the most impressive elements of the park. It is 160 meters long and bordered by seventysandstone posts with tops of lotus buds. The Walkway itself is paved withlaterite blocks.The Walkway leads to the first of three naga bridges. The five-headed snakes face all four directions and are from the
12th century . This bridge represents the connection between heaven and earth. The naga bridge leads to the upper stairway, which is divided into five sets. Each set has terraces on the sides. The last terrace is wide, made withlaterite blocks. It has acruciform shape and four small pools. A couple more steps lead to the second naga bridge. It has the same shape as the first one, only smaller. In the middle the remains of an eight petalled lotus carving can be seen.This final terrace leads to the outer gallery. It probably used to be a wooden gallery with a tiled roof, but only a raised floor of
laterite remains. After the outer gallery one reaches the inner gallery, which is divided in long and narrow rooms. It served as a wall around the principal tower. This last gallery leads to the third and last naga bridge, another small copy of the first one.The bridge leads you directly into the main
sanctuary . After theantechamber and theannex , one reaches the principal tower. Double porches lead out in all directions. The inner sanctum used to have the "linga ", the phallic symbol ofShiva . Currently, only the "somasutra" remains which was used to drain water during religious rites. The entrances have various lintels and icons depictingHindu religious stories, e.g. the dancingShiva and the five Yogi's. The southern entrance is guarded by a sandstone statue.Apart from the main tower, other buildings in the compound are:
* Two brick sanctuaries built around the10th century , northeast of the tower.
* The minorsanctuary southwest of the tower with asandstone altar for a sacred image. It was built withsandstone in the11th century . Prang Noi has only one entrance facing east. Thesanctuary is square with indented corners, giving it a round feel.
* Two Bannalai southeast and northeast of the principal tower. The buildings are rectangular and have only one entrance. They were built in the last period, around the13th century , and used as a library for holy scriptures.References
The information on Architecture comes from the park's English language guidebook:
External links
* [http://www.moe.go.th/webfad/ The official web site of the Thailand Fine Arts Department]
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