Chiang Khong – Lower Esarn Meander July 2024. Part 14 Rang Nong - Buriram

[DavidFL]

The Prasat Day: Prasat Khok Ngio - Prasat Phanom Rung - Prasat Muang Tam.

Continued from

Chiang Khong – Lower Esarn Meander July 2024. Part 13 Korat - Rang Nong.

After 2 nights in Korat, it was time to tick off a few other Khmer ruins boxes. There are too many & you never have enough time of course. Google Maps was my guide, searching for Khmer ruins nearby, sorted by distance with a quick look at a few photos plus the reviews, were the deciding factors...

www.gt-rider.com

Searching Google Maps at the start of the day I got excited, for Prasat Phanom Rung & Prasat Muang Tam popped up.
I first visited these 2 ruins in 1979 & again in 1992 so was keen to revisit them, armed with a bit more info & a camera.

Prasat Khok Ngio
It is located 25 kms south of Nang Rong / 78 kms S-W from Buriram.

Prasat Khok Ngiu is one of 102 Arogayasalas built by King Jayavarman VII (r. 1181-1218) throughout his Khmer kingdom.

Arogayasalas were hospitals / health care centres built by King Jayavarman.

They generally followed a standard format with a laterite enclosure wall, an east-facing gopura, a single prang shrine in the center, a Bannalai library southeast of the prang plus a square, stepped baray pool northeast of the enclosure wall.
Source PathsUnwritten.

See also
An excellent concise guide. I wish knew of this brilliant information site before I set off!

Architecture Profile: Arogayasala, Angkor's Hospital Temple Ruins

Historical profile on arogayasalas, the formidable Khmer hospital temples whose ruins dot landscapes from the Angkor capital city to its remote frontiers.

pathsunwritten.com

- Rest - Archaeology Magazine - September/October 2021

As part of an effort to win his subjects’ loyalty, the Khmer king Jayavarman VII, […]

archaeology.org

Arogyasala

Arogyasala. 1,391 likes · 1 talking about this. All about the legacy of public healthcare systems and services for humanity that were implemented during the probably greatest reign of the King...

www.facebook.com

Location:

Prasat Baan Khok Ngiu · FP7H+93H, Pakham, Pakham District, Buri Ram 31220, Thailand

âââââ · Historical landmark

maps.app.goo.gl

Prasat Phanom Rung
Located 46 kms from Prasat Khok Ngio / 65 kms from Buriram.

 

[DavidFL]

Prasat Phanom Rung

Located 46 kms from Prasat Khok Ngio / 65 kms from Buriram, Prasat Phanom Rung is an ancient Khmer Hindu temple complex built on an extinct volcano.

Built of sandstone and laterite between the 10th and 13th centuries, it is one of the most magnificent Khmer ruins sites in Thailand, and is undergoing consideration for a UNESCO world heritage site.

The Phanom Rung sanctuary or “Vnam Rung”, meaning “Big Mountain”, first appeared on stone inscriptions written in Pali and Sanskrit. (H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, 1978).

The sanctuary complex, constructed of pink sandstone, is situated on top and close to the crater of Phanom Rung Mountain, an extinct volcano on the Phanom Dongraek Range.

Rising to 200 metres above the surrounding plain, it dominates the landscape in every direction.

A 160-metre long stairway ascends the hill to the sanctuary.

Fortunately for me, I arrived at the "back entrance" & car park, so there was no need to tackle the terrace-lined stairways.

The Phanom Rung sanctuary compound was constructed over several phases, dated by means of iconography of its art and architectural styles together with its inscriptions.

Phanom Rung was documented by Prince Damrong in 1929 on an inspection survey; then in 1935 it was registered as a national heritage site,

Restoration first started in the 1960s. From 1971 to 1988, the Fine Arts Department worked with two French UNESCO experts B. P. Groslier and Pierre Pichard restore the site. Thai scholars who also assisted in this period were Manit Walliphodom (1961), M.C. Subhadradis Diskul (1973), and HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (1978). The historical park was officially opened in 1989, after the return of the all-important Phra Narai (Vishnu) lintel from the USA, after it had gone "missing" in the 60s.

Phanom Rung comprises two foundations of sacred brick buildings of 10th century C.E., the minor sanctuary of 11th century, the central sanctuary built by king Suryavarman II’s relative Narentratitaya in 12th century and two Bannalais (libraries) of the 13th century.

Phanom Rung was built for the worship of Shiva, the supreme Hindu god.

Phanom Rung temple and its gallery were constructed of pink sandstone employing tried and tested Angkorian construction methods such as corbel-vaulting.

The decoration of stone pediments and lintels of the main tower and gallery are distinctive and outstandingly crafted.
They depict episodes of the classic Ramayana and Mahabharata epics.

The most elegant are the dancing Shiva and reclining Vishnu (Vishnu Anantasayin) on the pediment and lintel of entrance porch of the main sanctuary.

The symbolism and location of the site relative to the annual movements of the sun are remarkable. Commanding the mountain top, the temple metaphorically represents Mount Kailash, the dwelling place of Shiva.

The divine linga, symbol of Shiva in the main chamber, is illuminated by the sun as its beams pass through the main entrance gopura, thereby stimulating and renewing its life force and ensuring the well-being of the surrounding land and communities.

Location: Phanom Rung Historical Park · หมูà¹à¸à¸µà¹ 7 114 Ta Pek, Chaloem Phra Kiat District, Buri Ram 31110, Thailand

Information source:

Ensemble of Phanom Rung, Muang Tam and Plai Bat Sanctuaries - UNESCO World Heritage Centre

UNESCO World Heritage Centre

whc.unesco.org

 

[DavidFL]

Prasat Muang Tam.

Located 8 kms S-E of Phanom Rung / 65 kms S-W of Buriam, Prasat Muang Tam is believed to have been built in 11th -12th centuries, the same as Phanom Rung & another nearby temple, Plai Bat, which I sadly missed.

Muang Tam is unique in Thailand as the only Khmer temple with four L-shaped ponds on each corner.

The architecture features of Muang Tam are of the Baphuon style of Khmer art, which date from 1007-1082, mixed with the Kleang style between 965-1012.

The sanctuary is also unique; it was built featuring laterite 5 prangs, 2 rows. There were three at the front & two behind, although the main centre prang is no longer.

According to UNESCO:
The sandstone material used for Phanom Rung and the stone carving of Prasat Muang Tam is as beautiful as the Banteay Srei Temple in Siem Reap, and portray the unique and outstanding appearance of this tangible heritage complex in Buri Ram Province.

According to UNESCO:
Based on architectural and engineering style, belief, faith arts and site location, the Phanom Rung and Muang Tam Sanctuaries could be compared with other world heritage properties such as Preah Vihear and Vat Phou and associated ancient settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape in Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic respectively.

Nagas feature on the corners of the ponds.

According to UNESCO:
Along with Phanom Rung, the sanctuaries themselves represented kingdoms of deities comprising the Main Tower, Wall, Gallery, Gopura with realistic stone carving of the Great Epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata, a processional Walkway, Ponds and reservoirs in a unified architectural plan. This reflects the connection between gods and people.

They've done a fantastic job restoring the site in 10 years 1987 - 1997.

1992 @ Muang Tam

Prasat Muang Tam was the most enchanting & magnificent set of ruins I saw on this trip = I would love to return anytime!

Location:

Prasat Muang Tam · FXWJ+FXC à¸à¸£à¸²à¸ªà¸²à¸à¸«à¸´à¸à¹à¸¡à¸·à¸à¸à¸à¹à¸³ Chorakhe Mak, Prakhon Chai District, Chang Wat Buri Ram 31140, Thailand

âââââ · Historical landmark

maps.app.goo.gl

Handy Information Sources

Ensemble of Phanom Rung, Muang Tam and Plai Bat Sanctuaries - UNESCO World Heritage Centre

UNESCO World Heritage Centre

whc.unesco.org

Prasat Muang Tam Historical Park

virtualhistoricalpark.finearts.go.th

Prasat Muang Tam - Beyond Angkor

www.beyondangkor.org

Prasat Hin Mueang Tam (Mueang Tam Stone Santuary)

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.

www.tourismthailand.org

Prasat Muang Tam - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org