Preah Khan

 

 

Preah Khan is a larger temple complex than many other at Angkor. It has four entrances by definition, one for each direction, north, south, east and west. However the main entrance for visitors is from the west and is closest to the road on the Grand circuit. The east entrance has a longer walk from a side road. My tuk tuk driver dropped me off at the west entrance and waited for me at the east entrance.

There is much to explore here. Four walls encompassing the center complex with the remains of a moat long dried up. The jungle has made its mark at certain areas and are well photographed. It seems the deeper you get into the Grand circuit the less people you see however, to assure a minimal amount of people around, plan for an early morning. dedicate at least 1.5 to 2 hours to truly explore Preah Khan.

 

Dancing Apsaras: Some of the better preserved stone carvings at Preah Khan happen to be dancing Apsaras above many of the passage ways through out the complex.  Dancing Apsaras are a common theme across Angkor, especially at Bayon Temple.  Apsaras are youthful female spirits or deities in Hindu and Buddhist mythology.

 

Light of the Stupa: As you walk through the center of Preah Khan you enter and exit several chambers. One chamber has a stupa in the center with a small alter. If you walk around the stupa and look at the wall/ceiling across the stupa, there is a crack in the wall that shines a through. Positioned just right, it looks like there is a light or flame coming from the top. Looks like a candle as you can see from the photos. A nice little photo opportunity.  You may also notice deliberate holes lined along the walls here.  The theory behind these holes is that at the height of Angkor’s civilization, jewel inserts were placed in these holes.

 

Beyond the Walls: Of course the main attraction at Preah Khan is the temples and sanctuary’s. They are beautiful and so much to see. But looking at the complex from the “outside” so to speak, gives a great experience and different perspective of this great place.

There is a well worn dirt path that encircles the complex from the outside of the surrounding wall. It is very peaceful and you are unlikely to see many people if any. Most people go right into the complex and don’t give this dirt path a second thought. There loss.  This is one of the first things I’d like to do again when I return. It is best to go in the early morning. The sounds of nature along with the solitude make it a very special time.

 

Below is the path around the complex: