Preah Ko

Preah Ko is a Hindu temple located about 12 km east of Siem Reap, near the Roluos temples, within the ancient city of Angkor. It is among the oldest temples in Angkor. Set amidst wild vegetation in a beautiful tropical landscape, this temple is renowned for the beauty and complexity of its architecture and sculptures.

History

Preah Ko was built in 879 by King Indravarman I, the nephew of Jayavarman II, to honor the members of his family and connect them with the Hindu deity Shiva. The temple was dedicated to this deity and was the first Khmer temple constructed within the ancient city of Angkor.

The most significant reconstruction of the temple took place in the 1990s. Funded by the German government, this project focused on the restoration of the towers.

Visiting Preah Ko Temple

Preah Ko Temple consists of three enclosed enclosures housing six brick towers arranged in two rows of three towers. The towers are grouped on a platform, which is itself surrounded by the remains of the surrounding walls.

Commonly referred to as the six prasats, the towers, since the construction of the temple, have been the largest and tallest structures of Preah Ko. Due to their size, these monuments served as royal funerary sanctuaries. The towers in front of the central tower are dedicated to Indravarman's paternal ancestors, including Jayavarman II, the founder of the Khmer Empire, Prithivindreshvara, the father of King Indravarman, and Rudreshvara, his grandfather. The towers at the back are dedicated to the maternal ancestors of the king, such as Sri Thivindradevi Fo, his mother, and Srir Dharanindradevi, the wife of Jayavarman II.

Fully dedicated to Shiva, the temple gets its name from a white bull called Nandi. This creature was Shiva's mount. The Khmer word "Preah Ko" literally means "the sacred bull." As a result, most of the decorations in the temple reflect the importance of the Hindu god Shiva. From a cultural and tourist perspective, these decorations are now considered the centerpiece of the temple.

On the lintels, Hindu bas-reliefs depict scenes of war: warriors riding three-headed Naga serpents, cavalry, and a deity on a kala. Today, these engravings are the only visible decorations on the temple.

Due to its name, the temple houses three sandstone statues of Nandi that majestically sit in front of and facing the central towers of the temple. Inside, the towers are all decorated with images of Shiva.

How to get there

Located just south of National Road 6, Preah Ko is only a 20 to 30-minute tuk-tuk ride from Siem Reap.

Opening hours and fees

Preah Ko Temple is open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM.