Category:Arogyasala

Commonly known in English as a hospital chapel or chapel of the hospital, Arogyasalas (Sanskrit & old Khmer: ārogyaśālā) date from the late-12th, early-13th-century and the reign of Jayavarman VII. As with the king's dharmasalas, these constructions were scattered throughout his empire - principally near population centres - with inscriptions indicating a total of no less than 102 sites were commissioned. (As with the famous dharmasala list, this register was compiled at a relatively early date in Jayavarman VII's reign and the final total may have been considerably higher.)

Arogyasala layout also followed a common pattern with a single tower - sometimes laterite, occasionally sandstone, (perhaps reflecting a settlement's importance) - surrounded by a small laterite enclosure wall and eastern gopura. The tower represents the chapel element so the hospital or hospice itself was presumably constructed out of perishable materials. Such sites would certainly have been considerably larger at the time than as they appear today.

Again, these constructions are found far and wide throughout the empire and are therefore interesting in so far as they indicate; A. centres of population at the time and B. the extent of imperial control. Examples have been found as far north as Wat Chao Chan in Thailand's Si Satchanalai district while the small Ta Muen group close to the Thai-Cambodian border in Buriram Province, features both an arogyasala and dharmasala in close proximity. (Prasat Ta Muen Toch and Prasat Ta Muen respectively.)

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  Wat Chao Chan at Chaliang Ancient City, Sukhothai, Thailand

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  Prasat Ta Prohm Kel between Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom

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  The Chapel of the Hospital near Ta Keo, Angkor

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  Prasat Ta Muen Toch, Buriram Province, Thailand

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  Possible arogyasala location at Prasat Trapeang Prasat Toch