Phnom Bakheng
Prasat Bakheng · Yasodharapura Centre
Angkor Yasodharapura 889–928·Hindu Shaiva (Linga)·🇰🇭 Siem Reap Province, Angkor Archaeological Park, Bakheng hill between Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom southern moat, Cambodia
NASA / image editing (color, cropping) and map: Manfred Werner (Tsui) · Public domain
About
About Phnom Bakheng
Mountain-temple on 65 m natural Bakheng hill (c.889–910 CE, Yasovarman I) at centre of first Angkor capital Yasodharapura, five-tier pyramid with 108 shrines plus central quincunx representing Mt. Meru and 108 liṅga shrines around base — earliest Angkor mountain-temple and first use of sandstone on hill. Abandoned when Jayavarman IV moved capital to Koh Ker; famed sunset viewpoint now capacity-limited.
Why it mattersPrototype mountain-temple before Phimeanakas, Ta Keo and Angkor Wat; number symbolism cosmology 108 in built form earliest.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01108 count intentional — cosmology vs accident?
Theories
- 01Meru-temple mountain adaptation natural hill vs built Meru
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 889–910 c.889 foundation Yasovarman I
- Period
- Angkor Yasodharapura 889–928
- Culture
- Hindu Shaiva (Linga)
- Builders
- King Yasovarman I
- Purpose
- State-temple of first Angkor capital at centre of 16 km reservoir
- Abandoned
- 928 Koh Ker move
- Rediscovered
- 19th c. Gsell photo 1866; restored Marchal 1923–26
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
889
Yasovarman I moves capital from Hariharalaya to Angkor; Bakheng hill selected as centre
910
Pyramid completed with 108 shrines and 16 km baray
On the ground
Structures & features
13.4240° N · 103.8560° E · 65 m · 1 mapped feature
Pyramid quincunx summit
pyramid templeFive-tier 108 shrine pyramid summit
13.4242° N · 103.8562° E
Gallery