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the reign
of Harshavarman 1 (it may have been built by high court officials)
in Hindu
religion with following transitional from Bakheng
to Koh Ker.
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BACKGROUND
The main point of interest at
Kravan is the sculpture on the interior of two of the five towers
depicting Visnu and his consort, Laksmi; the scene in the central tower is
the most impressive one. These carvings in brick on the interior of a
monument are unique in Khmer architecture.
This temple
was reconstructed by the French and given a new foundation, interior walls
and drains. Some broken bricks were replaced with carefully made
reproductions which are marked with the letters CA; representing the
Angkor Conservancy These can be seen, for example, on both the interior
and exterior of the tower on the right.
LAYOUT
Kravan is an unusual
arrangement of five towers in a row on one terrace. They are built of
brick; the lintels and columns are of sandstone.
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CENTRAL TOWER
This is the only tower with
recessed tiers intact, which are visible on the interior. The columns are
octagonal, with four bare sides and sandstone rings. This tower enclosed a
linga on a pedestal. An
inscription on the pillars gives the date 921 for the erection of the
statue of Visnu on the interior Decoration (exterior): The east side of
the Central Tower is sculpted with male guardians in shallow niches and
chevrons and framed figures on the pilasters. A frieze of small heads
adorns the lintel. Decoration (interior): The main decoration of this
tower, on the left, depicts Visnu taking three steps to span the universe
and to assure the gods of the possession of the world. It comprises a
standing image of Visnu (with four arms) carrying his attributes-a disc, a
ball, a conch and a club. One of his feet rests on a pedestal; nearby a
person is meditating and another one is walking on a lotus held by a woman
on a background of undulating lines representing the waves of the ocean.
On the right, Visnu (with eight arms) is framed with six registers of
people meditating and a giant lizard. This sculpture on brick was formerly
coated with stucco and was probably highlighted with colours.
NORTH TOWER
This temple was dedicated to
Laksmi, wife of Siva. She holds the symbols of her powers in her four
hands and is flanked by kneeling admirers, the niche with multiple lobes
is decorated with tassels and floral swags.
SOUTH TOWER
The walls on the interior
have no decoration A lintel on the exterior with Visnu on his mount, the
Garuda, is skillfully modeled.
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