Prasat Banon

Prasat Banon is a monastery located 20 kilometers from the city of Battambang, near the Sangkaé River, atop a hill in the commune of Kantueu Pir. A visit to the Banon temple is a must during your trip to Cambodia. From here, you can enjoy sweeping views of the vast plains of the Battambang region.

History

The Wat Banon temple dates back to the 11th century. It was built in 1057 during the reign of Udayādityavarman II and was completed a century later under the reign of Jayavarman VII in the 12th century. The northern pagoda, located upstream, is now called Vat Banon Leu, while the southern pagoda, downstream, is known as Vat Banon Krom. The latter was completely demolished, with only the entrance gate and remnants of the kod (sacred posts) preserved.

Visiting Banon Temple

Toponymy and Legend

The name "Prasat Banon" is believed to come from "Lear Bomnon," which means "to give thanks for something requested through prayer." According to the legend, one of the king's wives mysteriously gave birth to an egg, which was thrown into the sea. From this egg, a child was born, and a couple took him in, naming him Nén Roong. In Thailand, he studied so well that he became a scholar capable of transforming living beings into stone. The prince became famous throughout Cambodia, and the king ordered his general to bring him back. Before leaving, the general stopped at the Banon temple to pray for success in his mission. Then, he entered a cave and dug his way to Thailand. Miraculously, he emerged from the ground right in front of Nén Roong. Frightened by this sudden appearance, Nén Roong turned the general into a stone statue. The soldiers who accompanied him returned to Cambodia without him, as he was too heavy to carry. The cave where the general passed is known as Kouhéa Preah Toeuk.

Description

Prasat Banon is located atop a mountain at an altitude of 400 meters. At the foot of the mountain, there are two natural wells: Bit Meas and Chhung Achey. Today, only three brick towers and one sandstone tower remain of Prasat Banon, connected by galleries and positioned at the four cardinal points. The towers rising at the summit of the hill will remind you of the Angkor Wat temple. The central sanctuary has five stories, finely decorated with sculptures. The monastery has also preserved beautiful sculpted portals and bas-reliefs decorating the central tower.

There are also pools that fill with water during the rainy season. To reach the temple, you will climb a steep staircase of 358 steps. Remains of ancient lion statues, recently renovated, are located on the temple terrace, while others have been preserved in the Battambang Museum. These statues are made of stone and have naga (serpent) heads. Inside the temple, there are also numerous Buddha statues.

Behind the temple, there is a statue of an old lady cooking, named Tép. You will also find the Banon Leu pagoda to the southeast of the hill. It houses a very old vihara (Buddhist monastery) that is worth visiting. The pagoda was once the place where the king came to pray and pay homage to the gods after his victories. Banon, meaning "men," was translated as "warriors," thus naming the pagoda the temple of warriors. You will also see a large abandoned pool known as a baray, measuring 100 meters by 200 meters, which was used to supply water to the temple at the time.

Landscape

The monastery’s terrace offers a panoramic view of the countryside, with vast plains stretching as far as the eye can see and the Sangkaè River surrounded by tall palm trees. With luck, you may also spot the mountain of Phnom Sampeou, which resembles a crocodile. Today, the site is very popular with Khmer families. Visitors often come to the temple for a picnic and to enjoy the scenery.

Visiting the Kouhéa Preah Toeuk Cave

Kouhéa Preah Toeuk is a sacred cave located south of the temple, about 500 meters through orange groves. The entrance to the cave is very low. If you know how to climb, you can descend directly from the summit via a rocky pathway. You will then reach an area with a high ceiling. The main hall of the cave is naturally lit. There are also other galleries to the west.

How to get there?

To reach Prasat Banon, you should first travel to the city of Battambang from Siem Reap. There are several transportation options available, such as buses, taxis, or even boats. Once in Battambang, you can rent a tuk-tuk to take you to the temple. The driver will drop you at the foot of the Banon hill, and you can then hike to the top.

Opening hours and fees

As with other temples in Battambang, the entrance fee for the temple is $2 USD for foreigners.