Phimai Historical Park
Continued from
www.gt-rider.com
Finished in Si Thep at 3pm it was time to wonder over to Phimai, the next destination.
A distance of 230 kms by a roundabout wandering route.
It was dark as I entered Phimai & the 1st two hotels I attempted to check into were (1) full & (2) not available for a 2nd night.
Enter the Phimai Paradise hotel & what a gem of a hotel it was. Final check in time 7.30PM.
The best accommodation on the entire trip & top value for money @550 baht.
I was so impressed with the Phimai Paradise that I almost stayed a 3rd night.
The undercover parking was super convenient right by the lobby reception.
Phimai First Visits
It was in 1979, on my backpacking days that first visited Phimai.
I visited again Feb 92. The change was dramatic & impressive - great work by the Fine Arts department.
Phimai Some History
Phimai is recognized as the most renowned ancient Khmer-Hindu temple in Thailand.
It is claimed that there has been a temple at the fortified site since the 8th century, however the existing buildings date from the late 11th to the late 12th century, with the start initiated by Khmer King Jayavarman VI.
In recent times, 1901, it was first documented by the French geographer Etienne Aymonier.
On 27 September 1936, it was placed under government protection.
From 1964 to 1969 most of the restorations were done as a joint Thai-French project.
On 12 April 1989, it was officially opened by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn as a protected historical under the Fine Arts department.
Phimai was constructed at one end of the ancient highway connecting it with Angkor Wat at the other end.
Other important Khmer temples on that ancient highway are Prasat Muang Tam and Prasat Phanom Rung.
Usually Khmer temples face east, but Phimai anchored at the far end, faces South-East, towards Angkor in Cambodia the claim goes.
The inner sanctuary
The inner sanctuary is surrounded by galleries with gopuras providing entrance.
The main pagoda is located in the middle of the courtyard inside the corridor. It is the center of this religious place. The main pagoda was built entirely of white sandstone. It is different from the arch (gopura) and the inner and outer walls that are mainly made of red sandstone. The pagoda is 28 meters high, square base with twelve wooden indents, 22 meters long on each side.
The lintels and pediments on top of the gopuras contain finely carved depictions of Shiva as well as stories from the life of the Buddha and the Indian epic Ramayana.
Three prangs
The inner sanctuary contains three prangs. The central and largest one represents Mount Meru, the center of the universe in Hindu cosmology. It enshrined the sacred linga, the symbol of the Hindu God Shiva.
The central prang contains inscriptions dedicated to the Buddha, indicating that Phimai was built as a Buddhist temple. This sandstone prang was built during the 11th or 12th century. The two other towers, the Prang Hin Daeng and the Prang Bhramadat are smaller and were built during the 13th century.
The latter prang contained a statue of Khmer King Jayavarman VII, that is now on display in the Phimai National Museum nearby the site.
I was lucky enough to encounter a young gal having a photographic shoot whilst there & did not hesitate to seize the moment.
Put Phimai on your list of must-see places to go!
Sources of info on Phimai
en.wikipedia.org
www.tourismthailand.org
www.museumthailand.com
www.renown-travel.com
www.siamguides.com
www.timsthailand.com
I really enjoyed Phimai. It is a super cool laid back easy-going little town, just oozing charm.
I could have easily spent 3 or 4 nights there, especially hanging out at the Phimai Paradise & the nearby cafes & restaurants.
I'm actually hanging out to go back when I can.
www.gt-rider.com
Continued from
Chiang Khong – Lower Esarn Meander July 2024. Part 10: Si Thep Historical World Heritage Park
Si Thep World Heritage Site 27 kms south of Wichian Buri city lies the new World Heritage site of Si Thep. This world heritage site dates back 1,700 years to Mon - Dvaravati times & features both Khmer, Hindu & Buddhist monuments. Si Thep was only granted World Heritage status recently...
www.gt-rider.com
Finished in Si Thep at 3pm it was time to wonder over to Phimai, the next destination.
A distance of 230 kms by a roundabout wandering route.
It was dark as I entered Phimai & the 1st two hotels I attempted to check into were (1) full & (2) not available for a 2nd night.
Enter the Phimai Paradise hotel & what a gem of a hotel it was. Final check in time 7.30PM.
The best accommodation on the entire trip & top value for money @550 baht.
I was so impressed with the Phimai Paradise that I almost stayed a 3rd night.
The undercover parking was super convenient right by the lobby reception.
Phimai First Visits
It was in 1979, on my backpacking days that first visited Phimai.
I visited again Feb 92. The change was dramatic & impressive - great work by the Fine Arts department.
Phimai Some History
Phimai is recognized as the most renowned ancient Khmer-Hindu temple in Thailand.
It is claimed that there has been a temple at the fortified site since the 8th century, however the existing buildings date from the late 11th to the late 12th century, with the start initiated by Khmer King Jayavarman VI.
In recent times, 1901, it was first documented by the French geographer Etienne Aymonier.
On 27 September 1936, it was placed under government protection.
From 1964 to 1969 most of the restorations were done as a joint Thai-French project.
On 12 April 1989, it was officially opened by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn as a protected historical under the Fine Arts department.
Phimai was constructed at one end of the ancient highway connecting it with Angkor Wat at the other end.
Other important Khmer temples on that ancient highway are Prasat Muang Tam and Prasat Phanom Rung.
Usually Khmer temples face east, but Phimai anchored at the far end, faces South-East, towards Angkor in Cambodia the claim goes.
The inner sanctuary
The inner sanctuary is surrounded by galleries with gopuras providing entrance.
The main pagoda is located in the middle of the courtyard inside the corridor. It is the center of this religious place. The main pagoda was built entirely of white sandstone. It is different from the arch (gopura) and the inner and outer walls that are mainly made of red sandstone. The pagoda is 28 meters high, square base with twelve wooden indents, 22 meters long on each side.
The lintels and pediments on top of the gopuras contain finely carved depictions of Shiva as well as stories from the life of the Buddha and the Indian epic Ramayana.
Three prangs
The inner sanctuary contains three prangs. The central and largest one represents Mount Meru, the center of the universe in Hindu cosmology. It enshrined the sacred linga, the symbol of the Hindu God Shiva.
The central prang contains inscriptions dedicated to the Buddha, indicating that Phimai was built as a Buddhist temple. This sandstone prang was built during the 11th or 12th century. The two other towers, the Prang Hin Daeng and the Prang Bhramadat are smaller and were built during the 13th century.
The latter prang contained a statue of Khmer King Jayavarman VII, that is now on display in the Phimai National Museum nearby the site.
I was lucky enough to encounter a young gal having a photographic shoot whilst there & did not hesitate to seize the moment.
Put Phimai on your list of must-see places to go!
Sources of info on Phimai
Phimai Historical Park - Wikipedia
Phimai Historical Park
The official site of Tourism Authority of Thailand. Amazing Thailand, Travel information, Travel guide, maps, hotels, accommodation, attractions, events & festivals, food, culture, shopping information to help you plan your Thailand vacations.
Phimai Historical Park | Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand | Attractions - Lonely Planet
Prasat Phimai is one of the most impressive Khmer ruins in Thailand, both in its grand scale and its intricate details. Though built as a Mahayana…
www.lonelyplanet.com
Phimai Historical Park :: Museum Thailand
PHIMAI HISTORICAL PARK is located in the current Phimai town, situated at Nai Muang sub-district, Phimai district, 60 kilometres northeast of the city of Nakhon Ratchasima province. Its approximately area is 2,658 rai. The Fine Arts Department has undertaken the restoration since the...
www.museumthailand.com
Phimai Historical Park - Prasat Hin Phimai Khmer temple
Phimai is the largest of the Khmer temples in Thailand. Built nearly a thousand years ago, Phimai in Nakhon Ratchasima province is well preserved
www.renown-travel.com
Phimai Historical Park
Prasat Hin Phimai is the largest and most important religious place located in the middle of Phimai city. There are the following components; 1. Tabernacle: It is located on the left hand side of the walkway leading to the castle. It is a rectangular building measuring 26 meters wide, 35.10...
www.thailandtourismdirectory.go.th
Phimai Historical Park is the largest stone castle in Thailand
Phimai Historical Park (Prasat Hin Phimai) is the largest stone castle in Thailand. Located in Phimai District Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Phimai Historical Park (Prasat Hin Phimai) is a great and beautiful Khmer historical site. Built according to beliefs about heaven and the human world, the...
www.siamguides.com
Khmer Ruins in Thailand - Tim's Thailand
This page has links to all my posts about Khmer-era sites in Thailand, from the grand, inspiring monuments of Phimai and Phnom Rung to various small piles of rubble. Besides temples, there are also some sandstone quarries, piers, and rock carvings.
www.timsthailand.com
I really enjoyed Phimai. It is a super cool laid back easy-going little town, just oozing charm.
I could have easily spent 3 or 4 nights there, especially hanging out at the Phimai Paradise & the nearby cafes & restaurants.
I'm actually hanging out to go back when I can.
Phimai Restaurants
Punp Cafe There are slim pickings for breakfast in Phimai, if you're looking for a farang brekky, & the winner for me was the Punp Cafe. Location, parking & coffee being the winners. A bit of a strange place for me, &it is what it is in a new "basic industrial style", perhaps. A...
www.gt-rider.com
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