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Angkor Archeological Park

Prasat Kravan

Explore the heart of the Khmer ancestral empire

     Prasat Kravan was built in the early 10th century (the statue of Vishnu was dedicated on 12 December 921) by a court dignitary. This temple is unique in the Angkor Site for its brick towers featuring interior bas-reliefs of remarkable finesse. This monument is a rare example of bas-relief carved on brick walls. It is also unique by the presence of an image of Vishnu with eight arms, named “Protector of the Three Worlds”.

History

     Surrounded by a moat, crossed at the western side by a small access causeway, the five brick towers are set quite closely, built on a single terrace and open to the east. The brickwork has been constructed with care – the mortar-less joints, which have only a thin vegetal binder, remain absolutely tight.

In the early to mid-60s, this monument was extensively restored by the Ecole Française d’Extrême-Orient. Replacement bricks marked with the stamped letters ‘CA’ can be seen placed at intervals throughout the monument. Externally, the eastern side is decorated with dvarapala set in shallow niches, while the door panels are decorated with chevrons and small framed figures. Only the door frames, lintels with its line of small heads set in a frieze above and the octagonal banded columns are in sandstone. An inscription on the door jambs mentions the placement of a statue of Vishnu in 921AD.

At Kravan, the visitor can view bas-relief sculpture on the interior brickwork of the sanctuaries. In the central sanctuary chamber, to the left of the entrance can be seen a large figure of Vishnu with his right foot placed on a lotus pedestal supported by a kneeling figure. To the right, there is a second representation of Vishnu mounted on the shoulders of Garuda. The central wall portrays Vishnu with eight arms framed by six rows of standing figures. The northern tower is also sculpted with figures representing Laksmi, the wife of Vishnu. The three remaining towers have undecorated walls.

Discover all the current projects happening in Kravan Temple

Info and tips for visitor

Date :

10th century

Style

Koh Ker

Opening hours

7:30 am to 5:30 pm

Reign

Harshavarman I

Religion

Hindu

Tour

30 minutes

Click to take a tour of the photo gallery of Kravan Temple