King:
Jayavarman VII
Religion:
Buddhist
Art
Style:
Angkor Wat
BACKGROUND
The
presence of Buddhist monks and nuns at this temple give it a feeling of an
active place of worship. Lintels and pediments lying on the ground at the
sides and back of the temple afford a rare opportunity to see relief at
eye level. Many depict Buddhist scenes with Hindu divinities.
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LAYOUT
A
large seated Buddha in front of the temple of Prah Palilay is of a recent
date. A terrace in the shape of a cross precedes the temple and stands as
an elegant example of the 'classic 'period of Khmer art. Serpent
balustrades terminating with a crest of seven heads frame the terrace. A
causeway joins the terrace to the entry tower at the east set in the
enclosing laterite wall, of which only parts remain. The entry tower is in
the shape of a cross and has three passages and a cylindrical vault with a
bouble pediment. The pediments of the pediments of the entry towers are
modeled with Buddhist scenes. The lintel on the east side of the entry
tower depicts a reclining Buddha and the pediment on the south side has a
finely carved seated Buddha; the pediment on the north has an uncommon
depiction of a standing Buddha with his hand resting on an elephant. There
are remains of two guardians (decapitated) on the east and two lions on
the ground between the terrace and the Central Sanctuary.
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CENTRAL
SANCTUARY
Only
the Central Sanctuary of Prah Palolay remains intact. The sandstone tower
opens on four sides, each one of which has a porch. The tower stands on a
base with three tiers and has a stairway on each side. On the upper
portion there is a truncated pyramid that forms a sort of chimney, which
is filled with reused stones.
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