Verified13.4340° N · 103.8000° E · 15 m
West Mebon — West Baray Island Temple
Angkor (11th c. CE)·Khmer (Udayadityavarman II)·🇰🇭 Siem Reap Province, Cambodia
About
About West Mebon — West Baray Island Temple
West Mebon — West Baray Island Temple in Siem Reap Province, Cambodia is a Angkor (11th c. CE) temple-complex attributed to Khmer (Udayadityavarman II). Cruciform island temple in West Baray reservoir 8 × 2 km, with sandstone causeway. Baray 8 km reservoir, bronze Reclining Vishnu 6 m now National Museum Phnom Penh.
Why it mattersType-site for Khmer (Udayadityavarman II) temple architecture
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronological sequence refinement
- 02Iconography program
Theories
- 01Shaivite cult centre
- 02Hydraulic kingship model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 1050 CE
- Period
- Angkor (11th c. CE)
- Culture
- Khmer (Udayadityavarman II)
- Purpose
- Cruciform island temple in West Baray reservoir 8 × 2 km, with sandstone causeway
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1050 CE
Initial construction
c. 1990 CE
UNESCO / EFEO restoration
On the ground
Structures & features
13.4340° N · 103.8000° E · 15 m · 4 mapped features
- West Mebon — West Baray Island Temple — Central Sanctuary TowertowerCentral kalan or prang shrine13.4342° N · 103.8001° E
- West Mebon — West Baray Island Temple — Mandapa / Gopura HallmandapaEntrance mandapa or gopura13.4338° N · 103.8002° E
- West Mebon — West Baray Island Temple — Enclosure and MoatenclosureOuter laterite enclosure and moat13.4345° N · 103.7998° E
- West Mebon — West Baray Island Temple — Subsidiary ShrineshrineSmall subsidiary shrine13.4336° N · 103.7999° E
Gallery