Phra That Narai Cheng Weng
| Native Name | พระธาตุนารายณ์เจงเวง, ព្រះធាតុណារៃជើងវេង |
|---|---|
| Alternative name | Phrathat Narai Jeng Weng, Phra That Narai Cheng Weng, Narai Jaeng Waeng, Prasat Narai Cheng Weng, Prasat Phra That Narai Cheng Weng |
| BA# | T47002 |
| CISARK# | 890, 2429 |
| IK# | 351 |
| Size | Medium |
| Condition | Intact |
| Type | Temple |
| Location | |
| Commune | That Na Weng |
| District | Muang Sakon Nakhon |
| Province | Sakon Nakhon |
| Country | Thailand |
| Coordinates | 17.18688, 104.09560 |
| History | |
| Founded | 11th Century |
| Builder | Suryavarman I (?) |
| Art Style | Khleang (?) |
| Material | Laterite, Sandstone |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Deity | Shiva |
| Year/s Restored | Various |
Phra That Narai Cheng Weng (พระธาตุนารายณ์เจงเวง - Pronounced: Prah! Tart Na-rai Jeng Weng)
This sandstone tower on a high laterite base is located a short distance northwest of the provincial capital, beside the Udon Thani highway #22. The shrine is the most intact of the province's Angkorian sites and features several carved elements in situ although associated structures such as an enclosing wall, gopura and 'libraries' are today missing. (All of which are likely to have featured in the original temple layout.) The tower has an eastern entrance porch, the standard false doors on the other three sides and includes a soma sutra which traverses the north wall.
Five lintels are still in situ, (including inner and outer ones on the east side) as well as pedestal reliefs above the doorways. Two well-preserved pediments depict a 12-armed dancing Shiva, (east door), and Vishnu reclining on the naga Ananta (north door) while lintels are as follows: west - Krishna subduing the naga Kaliya, south - an unidentified narrative scene (probably from the Ramayana) on 2 registers, north - Krishna fighting a lion and east - Indra on Airavata. The inner eastern lintel also features Krishna, standing atop a kala and holding a lion in each hand.
Two sandstone depositories are also located within the temple grounds - presumably housing blocks left over after renovation - and which includes several carved elements including an example of a foundation stone with the small holes though to originally contain gem stones. The largest is situated by the car park to the west of the shrine and the second to the southeast. Additionally, three naga antefixes are now housed in the modern vihara to the east of the tower.
In our opinion the reliefs - in terms of both style and subject matter - seem representative of the early 11th-century, Khleang era and our guess would be the reign of Suryavarman I.
Map Location
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Historic Archive
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Nearby Sites
- Ban Don Mu Praisi
- Hmuang Hin Phu Phek
- Khuen Hin Boran
- Muang Boran Sakon Nakhon
- Nong Sa (Muang Sakon Nakhon)
- Phra That Choeng Chum
- Phra That Dum
- Phra That Narai Cheng Weng
- Phra That Phu Phek
- Prasat Phon Sim
- Sakon Nakhon Museum
- Saphan Hin
- Sra Pangthong
- T47033
- T47044
- Wat Doen Moksawadee
- Wat Klang Si Chiang Mai
- Wat Klang Si Chiang Mai Museum
- Wat Maha Phrom Phothirat
- Wat Nong Sim
- Wat Pa Don Hin
- Wat Pa Eo Kan Wipatsonwawat
- Wat Pa Nong Hoi
- Wat Phra That Phu Phek
- Wat Si Saket
- Wat Sri That (Khamin)
External Links
Links to additional resources such as articles, websites, videos etc.
Photos and description from the Tim's Thailand site
References