Baksei Chamkrong

 

Baksei Chamkrong (948)

Baksei Chamkrong was built by Harshavarman I in the early 10th century, dedicated to Shiva. Soon after his reign, the capital of the Khmer Kingdom was moved to Koh Ker, approximately 70 km northeast of Angkor Zone. The temple was completed and dedicated in the year 948 by King Rajendravarman II (944-968), after the capital had been moved back to Angkor.

Baksei Chamkrong is located about nine kilometres north of the centre of Siem Reap, between Angkor Thom South gate and Phnom Bakheng.The name Baksei Chamkrong means “the bird that shelters under its wings”. The name comes from a legend that the king tried to flee Angkor during a siege and a huge bird landed and protected him under its wings.

East of the temple are the remains of a brick wall and a Gopura that was guarded by lions. A few steps and a single guardian lion are all that remain today. Atop the fourth tier is a small platform with a single tower, it’s about 15 meter high. The brick tower has one real door opening to the East; the other ends have false doors.

Most of the decoration on the exterior of the temple has disappeared, though the shape of sculpted devatas can still be seen. The sandstone lintel over the Eastern doorway contains a carving of Indra on the three headed elephant Airavata, and one of Ganesha.

In A.D. 948, King Rajendravarman chose this monument-built 40 years earlier to have a Sanskrit text engraved on its door jamb. Among the over 1,300 inscriptions known to survive from ancient times, this one is unique in that it relates the succession of Khmer kings from pre-Angkorean times, grounding the dynasty on a mythic foundation. Thus the lineage is said to descend from the union of the hermit Kambu, said to be "born from himself," and the most beautiful nymph Mera.

 

Harshavarman I (910-922 AD)

Harshavarman I was the eldest son of Yasovarman I. He built a small temple at the foot of Phnom Bakheng, Baksey Chamkrong temple in the early 10th century to dedicate to Shiva and Kravan temple to dedicate to Vishnu in 921. He has a younger brother Isanvarman II, who is said to have succeeded his brother in 922 AD.