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| Phimean Akas (1006-1050) |
Phimean Akas was
built in 10th-11th century by two different kings, King
Rajendravarman II (944-968 A.D.) and King Suriyavarman I(1006-1050A.D.)
dedicated to Shiva.
Phimean Akas is
located at the centre of the Royal Palace and north of Baphoun temple, surrounded by enclosing
wall 600 metres by 250 metres with five Gopura (entrance gate), two at the
south , two at the north and another one to the east. The temple was built of
laterite foundations and sandstone walls with little decoration. It must
originally have been crowned with a golden pinnacle, as Zhou Daguan described
it as the Tower of Gold. According to
legend, the king spent the first watch of every night with a woman thought to
represent a Naga in the tower, during that time, not even the queen was permitted to
intrude. Only in the second watch the king returned to his palace with the
queen. If the Naga who was the supreme land owner of Khmer land did not show up
for a night, the king's day would be numbered, if the king did not show up,
calamity would strike his land.
Suryavarman I - The first Buddhist king of the Angkorian period (1002-1050) Suryavarman I ascended the throne in 1002 after defeating rivals in a dispute over the throne. When Rajendravarman II died, his son Jayavarman V
ascended the throne at a very young age. As in previous reigns, he practiced
Brahmanism but allowed the worship of Buddhism. He built a mountain temple,
Takeo, but it was not finished yet. When he died, a battle for the throne took
place. Later, Suryavarman I defeated another rival monarch. He was crowned at
Angkor and restored peace. The nation prospered, the population grew. Royal
power covered the entire plains of the Menam River. Khmer inscriptions related
to him were found in the area of Lavo (Lopburi) north of present-day Bangkok.
Angkor's central power in politics and religion was steadily growing. He was
the first king of the Angkorian period to practice Mahayana Buddhism. But in
the kingdom, Brahmins and Buddhists coexist peacefully. King Suryavarman I
built temples in many places, such as Phnom Chisor (Takeo province), parts of
the temple of Preah Vihear , began digging the western Baray, completed the
temple of Phimean Akas and Takeo. |
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