Baphoun

Baphoun (1050-1066)

Baphoun temple was built in the mid-11^th century dedicated to Shiva during the reign of King Udayadityavarman II, who ruled Angkor in 1050 till 1066 A.D.

Baphoun temple is located in the northwest of Bayon temple and south of Phimean Akas temple in the city of Angkor Thom. It measures 120 metres by 100 metres and 34 metres in height. The temple has three tiers constructed as an artificial mountain. Zhou Daguan, a Chinese traveller who visited Angkor in 1296 mentioned “This temple had a Bronze Tower” but today it’s missing.

The Main entrance of Baphoun temple faced to east. The eastern side is connected with a long sandstone bridge which is supported by three rows of round pillars. Next to the bridge, to the south, there is a basin whose surrounding steps lead to the bottom of basin. It may have been use for a ceremony or to clear away sin.

During the 15th or 16th century the temple was converted to Buddhism, a 9 metres tall by 70 metres long of reclining Buddha statue were installed which is to be found on the rear of the second level.

The temple is immense and its foundation was unstable, collapsed. Then, in 1960 to 2010 has been restored by French EFEO project although this work interrupted during the Khmer Rouge period in 1975 till 1979. In April 2011, after 51 years, the archaeologists finished the restoration and King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia and Prime Minister Francois Fillon of France have been toured the renovated temple during the inauguration ceremony.

Udayadityavarman II (1050-1066) (Harshavarman III 1066-1080 and Jayavarman VI 1080-1107)

 

During the 47 years (1050-1107) of Angkor, three kings reigned in succession. Anti-foreign wars and unrest were rampant, but some major constructions were also completed.​ When Suryavarman I died, his sons Udayadityavarman II and Harshavarman III ascended the throne. Udayadityavarman II built the Baphuon Temple, the Western Mebon Temple, and built the Western Baray or Teuk Thla Baray (8 km x 2.2 km). His younger brother, Harshavarman III, fought two battles. The first time, the Khmers had to fight against the Chams who raised troops to attack the Khmers and take the Khmers captive. The second time, under Chinese influence, the Khmer raised troops to attack the Dai Viet, joining forces with the Cham. But the Khmer and Cham armies withdrew. In 1080, Jayavarman VI proclaimed king himself of the earth but did not return to Angkor. He lived in the new capital, Mahidharpura, in the plains of the Moon River. He built Phnom Sandak, Phimai (now in Thailand), Wat Phu (now in Laos), Preah Vihear. At the end of his reign, chaos ensued several times. Until the beginning of the 12 century, the King Suryavarman II ascended the throne at Angkor and restored order.