Prasat Ta Keo (Siem Reap)
| Native Name | ប្រាសាទតាកែវ |
|---|---|
| Alternative name | Prasat Kev, Hemasringagiri, Hemagiri, Prasat Preah Keo |
| BA# | C1710126 |
| CISARK# | 394 |
| IK# | 533 |
| K Inscription | K.275, K.276, K.277, K.278, K.534, K.535, K.536 |
| Inscr. Location | In situ |
| Size | Large |
| Condition | Intact |
| Type | Temple |
| Location | |
| Part of | Yasodharapura II, Yasodharapura III, Angkor |
| Commune | Nokor Thom |
| District | Siem Reap Municipality |
| Province | Siem Reap |
| Country | Cambodia |
| Coordinates | 13.44479, 103.88249 |
| History | |
| Founded | Late 10th-early 11th Century |
| Builder | Jayavarman V, Suryavarman I |
| Art Style | Khleang |
| Material | Sandstone |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Deity | Shiva |
| UNESCO Inscription | 1992 |
Prasat Ta Keo (ប្រាសាទតាកែវ - Pronounced: Pra-saht Ta Kae'ow)
Jayavarman V's impressive pyramid temple is not only an imposing site but a highly innovative and architecturally important one. It's considered to be both the first major, all-sandstone temple as well as the first (with the possible exception of Phimeanakas) to display a complete concentric gallery which was to become an essential feature of later temple design. (Yasovarman toyed with the idea but his galleries were never continuous structures.) Both Ta Keo and Phimeanakas, although inaugurated at earlier dates, are thought to have been completed and continued, respectively, by Suryavarman I so we perhaps have him to thank for the architectural innovation?
We say continued since Ta Keo was never fully completed and inscriptions refer to the site being cursed as workers were struck by lightning during construction! Nonetheless, the large pyramid is considered to be the state temple of Jayavarman V under the name Hemagiri or Hemasringagiri, (gold-topped mountain).
The construction itself is a 5-tier pyramid with gopuras and 2 eastern galleries on the 1st level, gopuras, 'libraries' and a complete gallery on the 2nd, and 5 towers with porches on the upper, 5th, tier. The lower level or base measures 122 x 106m and total height is some 45m. Due to it never having been completed decoration is largely lacking apart from a few generic lintels, now displayed on the ground. The main entrance is towards the east where a 500m causeway connects the temple to a landing stage on the East Baray although no traces of any outer enclosure or moat remain.
Map Location
Image Gallery
Overview from the east
Looking over the south gopura
Angkor National Museum
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Historic Archive
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Nearby Sites
- Angkor Thom Khloung Thvear Chey
- Angkor Thom Khloung Thvear Khmaoch
- Angkor Thom Laterite Edicule N
- Angkor Thom Laterite Steps
- Angkor Thom Spean Chey
- Angkor Thom Spean Khmaoch
- Kampong Phae Thnal Baray
- North Bank Wall
- Prasat Chau Say Tevoda
- Prasat Chrung Piek Isan
- Prasat Leak Neang (Nokor Thom)
- Prasat Ta Keo (Siem Reap)
- Prasat Ta Mau (Nokor Thom)
- Prasat Ta Nei
- Prasat Ta Prohm (Siem Reap)
- Prasat Ta Prohm Dharmasala
- Prasat Ta Prohm Khloung Thvear Khang Cheung
- Prasat Ta Prohm Khloung Thvear Khang Lech
- Prasat Thommanon
- Selacharuk Thnal Baray Piek Nirtei
- Selacharuk Thnal Baray Piek Peayop
- Spean Thma (Nokor Thom)
- Thvear Sonteas Toek Baray
- Toe Toek Thnal Baray
- Tuol (Angkor) I
External Links
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References