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Tip: Access to the summit is difficult as much of the temple has
collapsed and it is overgrown but for those stalwarts who want to go to
the top, use the way with columns at the east and the temple of
Phimeanakas on the left. Visitors should walk down the causeway, climb the
steps to the first tier, turn left and walk around the temple, always
keeping it on their right. It was built in middle of the 11th century (1060) by king Udayadityavarman II, dedicated to Siva (Hindu)
with following Prasat Baphuon.
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BACKGROUND
The grandeur of Baphuon as described above by Zhou Daguan is
unrecognizable today because of the poor condition of the temple. The
French were in the process of restoring this temple when they were forced
leave Angkor in 1972 because of war. Baphuon is situated inside the royal
city of Angkor Thom but dates from the eleventh century and was built
before the city was established. An interesting feature of Baphuon are the
bas-reliefs which are scenes carved in small squares.
Unfortunately few of these
are visible because of the poor state of the temple. The narrative themes
are realistic depictions of daily life and forest scenes. |
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LAYOUT
Baphuon is a single sanctuary temple-mountain situated on a high base.
It is a symbolical representation of Mount Meru. A rectangular sandstone
wall measuring 425 by 125 metres (1394 by 410 feet) encloses
the temple (1). A long sandstone elevated approach (200 metres, 656 feet)
at the east entrance (3) forms a bridge to the main temple. It is
supported by three rows of short columns.
Tip: Before walking
down the approach turn left at the east entry tower (2) and walk to the
end of the gallery for a superb view of a four-faced tower of the Bayuon
framed by a doorway of Baphuon. The approach is intercepted by a pavilion
in the shape of a cross (4) with terraces on the left and right sides.
Turn left and walk to the opening the approach. Continue to the view of
the arrangement of the imposing pillars under the approach. Continue to
the end of the gallery to see a rectangular paved pool (5).
The temple stands on a
rectangular sandstone base with five levels that are approximately the
same size, rather than the more common form of successively smaller
levels. The first, second and third levels are surrounded by sandstone
galleries. Baphuon is the first structure in which stone galleries with a
central tower appear. Two libraries (6) in the shape of a cross with four
porches stand in the courtyard. They were originally connected by an
elevated walkway supported by columns.
The gallery of the
enclosure collapsed and, at a later date , the stones from it were modeled
into the shape of a reclining Buddha (7) that spans the length of the west
wall ( the head is on the left, facing the temple) . It is an abstract
form and the outline of this Buddha is difficult to distinguish. A
stairway (8) leading to the summit begins in the middle of the Buddha.
The top level is in poor
condition due to several collapses. Originally there was a Central
Sanctuary with two wings. Each side of the entrance to the Central
Sanctuary is carved with fine animated figures. If you look carefully you
can see these from the ground on the west side.
Tip: The view from
the top with Phnom Bakheng in the south and Phimeanakas in the north is
magnificent.
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