Prasat Ban Phluang: Difference between revisions
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| part_of = [[Prasat Ban Phluang]] | | part_of = [[Prasat Ban Phluang]] | ||
| village = Ban Phluang | | village = Ban Phluang | ||
| commune = | | commune = Kang An | ||
| district = [[:category:Prasat|Prasat]] | | district = [[:category:Prasat|Prasat]] | ||
| province = [[:category:Surin Province|Surin]] | | province = [[:category:Surin Province|Surin]] | ||
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Single, east-facing, sandstone tower situated on a large, cruciform-shaped, laterite terrace. The upper section was probably, originally constructed out of brick and is now missing while the standing central and lower sections of the tower feature well-preserved reliefs. The width of the laterite base suggests an additional two towers were part of the original plan although there is no evidence of them ever having been built. | Single, east-facing, sandstone tower situated on a large, cruciform-shaped, laterite terrace. The upper section was probably, originally constructed out of brick and is now missing while the standing central and lower sections of the tower feature well-preserved reliefs. The width of the laterite base suggests an additional two towers were part of the original plan although there is no evidence of them ever having been built. | ||
The sanctuary is orientated to some 85-86 degrees, features an intact horseshoe moat with an associated ''baray'', ([[Baray Prasat Ban Phluang]]), lying approximately 180m east of the main tower. | The sanctuary is orientated to some 85-86 degrees, features an intact horseshoe moat, (with the two eastern points forming small, square ponds), and an associated ''baray'', ([[Baray Prasat Ban Phluang]]), lying approximately 180m east of the main tower. | ||
The lintels and pediments, intricate and finely carved and largely intact, include an unusual eastern lintel depicting a side view of Indra atop a single-headed elephant, above which a pediment features Krishna Govardana. A pair of dvarapalas (and unfinished apsaras) can be seen at each corner, except the west while a more 'classic; depiction of Indra on a 3-headed Airavata is depicted, unusually, on the south lintel. The north pediment also depicts Krishna - this time fighting the naga Kaliya - with another Indra lintel below, while the tower's western face is uncarved. (Indra is generally reserved for east-facing reliefs so finding him on the north and south sides as well is somewhat unconventional.) | The lintels and pediments, intricate and finely carved and largely intact, include an unusual eastern lintel depicting a side view of Indra atop a single-headed elephant, above which a pediment features Krishna Govardana. A pair of dvarapalas (and unfinished apsaras) can be seen at each corner, except the west while a more 'classic; depiction of Indra on a 3-headed Airavata is depicted, unusually, on the south lintel. The north pediment also depicts Krishna - this time fighting the naga Kaliya - with another Indra lintel below, while the tower's western face is uncarved. (Indra is generally reserved for east-facing reliefs so finding him on the north and south sides as well is somewhat unconventional.) | ||
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[[Category:Medium Prasat|B]] | [[Category:Medium Prasat|B]] | ||
[[Category:Prasat|B]] | |||
[[Category:Surin Province|B]] | |||
[[Category:Thailand|B]] | |||
Latest revision as of 23:35, 22 March 2026
| Native Name | ปราสาทบ้านพลวง |
|---|---|
| Alternative name | Prasat Hin Ban Phluang |
| BA# | T32018 |
| Size | Medium |
| Condition | Intact |
| Type | Temple |
| Location | |
| Part of | Prasat Ban Phluang |
| Village | Ban Phluang |
| Commune | Kang An |
| District | Prasat |
| Province | Surin |
| Country | Thailand |
| Coordinates | 14.61029, 103.42415 |
| History | |
| Founded | Mid 11th century |
| Builder | Udayadityavarman II |
| Art Style | Baphuon |
| Material | Brick, Laterite, Sandstone |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Deity | Shiva |
| Year/s Restored | Various |
Prasat Ban Phluang (ปราสาทบ้านพลวง - Pronounced: Pra-saht Baan Ploo-ang)
Single, east-facing, sandstone tower situated on a large, cruciform-shaped, laterite terrace. The upper section was probably, originally constructed out of brick and is now missing while the standing central and lower sections of the tower feature well-preserved reliefs. The width of the laterite base suggests an additional two towers were part of the original plan although there is no evidence of them ever having been built.
The sanctuary is orientated to some 85-86 degrees, features an intact horseshoe moat, (with the two eastern points forming small, square ponds), and an associated baray, (Baray Prasat Ban Phluang), lying approximately 180m east of the main tower.
The lintels and pediments, intricate and finely carved and largely intact, include an unusual eastern lintel depicting a side view of Indra atop a single-headed elephant, above which a pediment features Krishna Govardana. A pair of dvarapalas (and unfinished apsaras) can be seen at each corner, except the west while a more 'classic; depiction of Indra on a 3-headed Airavata is depicted, unusually, on the south lintel. The north pediment also depicts Krishna - this time fighting the naga Kaliya - with another Indra lintel below, while the tower's western face is uncarved. (Indra is generally reserved for east-facing reliefs so finding him on the north and south sides as well is somewhat unconventional.)
A linga pediment found in the tower suggests the sanctuary was dedicated to Shiva. While the Krishna motives point to an early 11th century style, Thai archaeologists have dated the structure to the mid 11th, Baphuon, period. Unusually large quantities of pottery were unearthed in front of the terrace and which possibly indicate a series of ceremonies having taken place.
Although the reliefs are particularly well-carved, as with many sites, the sanctuary was clearly unfinished and while projected north and south towers were never built, the sanctuary also lacks any subsidiary structures such as 'libraries' or gopuras and there are no signs of any enclosing wall.
Nevertheless, the sanctuary and large, associated baray are indicative of a site of some importance and it would appear likely that the present day village of Ban Phluang corresponds to an Angkor-period settlement of some importance. (A second, smaller baray (Baray Ban Phluang), lies immediately north of the prasat on what is today the village's northern limit.) No traces of any obvious embankments or moat are discernable today although, as with nearby Prasat Sikhoraphum, it is plausible that the security situation during the later 11th and earlier 12th centuries negated any need for fortifying such settlements. (i.e. there were unlikely to have been many significant military threats to this region during the Udayadityavarman, Suryavarman II periods.)
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