Preah Ko, A Timeless Testament to Khmer Artistry

Preah Koh Temple, National Highway 6, Lolei, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Early Architecture of the Angkor Dynasty

3.8

Introduction

Preah Ko, also known as the Sacred Bull Temple, is the second largest structure in the Roluos Group. Built in the late 9th century, it is dedicated to the god Shiva and the king's ancestors. The temple features six east-facing stone towers arranged in two rows. These towers are adorned with intricately carved decorations made of sandstone and plaster, creating a stunning sight. In the center of the front row stands a larger central tower, one of the best-preserved examples of plaster carvings at the Angkor site. Each tower's doorposts are adorned with beautiful ancient Sanskrit inscriptions. Within the temple, there are three sacred bulls, which have suffered varying degrees of damage, symbolizing the deification of the ancestors in 880 AD. The front row of towers is associated with male ancestors or gods, while the back row is associated with female ancestors or goddesses. Lion statues are also present in the temple, serving as guardians. The architectural style of the Queen's Palace was developed based on the Sacred Bull Temple. The temple's unique geographical layout features the six brick towers facing east, adorned with sandstone and stucco reliefs. The distribution is uneven, with the central tower of the front row being larger than the others. The middle area consists of a slightly lower platform with two rows of towers, with the northern tower of the second row being closer to the central tower than the southern one. Among the towers in the eastern cluster, the central tower is the largest and slightly recessed. Each of the male statues is unique and represents a masterpiece of Khmer art.