Banteay Prey Nokor

Banteay Prey Nokor.

The ancient temple complex of Banteay Prei Nokor is located to the Northwest of Kompong Cham, Cambodia.

History

The temple complex of Banteay Prey Nokor is especially known by the temple of Wat Nokor located in Khum of Kompong Siem, at a distance of 1200 meters from the town of Kompong Cham. The monument was built out of sandstone and laterite, and dates from the last years of the reign of Jayavarman VII. It is composed of a central tower surrounded by four laterite wall-enclosures. The central tower of the temple of Vat Nokor is decorated with motifs characteristic of Bayon with Buddhist scenes on the pediments.^[1] The temple complex is also believed to have been the headquarters of Jayavarman VII for a time, from where he extended his influence over nearby principalities.^[2]

The local people sometimes call the temple 'Wat Angkor' though a sign at the entrance of the temple now officially designates the name of the temple as Wat Nokor Bachey. The temple has a number of distinguishing characteristics other than the fact that it is the largest ancient temple complex in Kampong Cham Province. One of these characteristics alludes to the fact that it is built of black sandstone, which causes it to stand out from other temples of the period which are often built of brick or reddish sandstone. The temple has an inscription which is still open to visitors to see (and even touch) in the temple's central pavilion. The temple also boasts a 'Chartre' effect in which another more modern temple of a very different style has been built over and around the original Angkorian structure creating a blend of architectural styles. There are many legends surrounding the origin of the temple but the most popular one has Oedipal overtones. According to this legend, the temple was built by a king who accidentally killed his father and married his mother. As recounted in the Greek legend, this King was put out by his father after a seer told him that his son would kill him. The son, however, did not die and returned to his kingdom not knowing that his father was the King. After quareling on the road, the son killed the King and married his Queen who was his mother. Upon discovering his crime, this young man built Wat Nokor in penance for his crime.

Wat Nokor does not get the attention or maintenance necessary to maintain the grounds and gardens. The temple has great potential as a tourist attraction. Its deserted ambiance is one of its greatest attractions and distinguishes it from the touristed atmosphere found in Siem Reap and other popular tourist locations. Nevertheless, the litter strewn walkways around the temple are contrary to tourists' expectations.

World Heritage Status

This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on September 1, 1992 in the Cultural category.^[3]

Notes

↑ Ensemble de Banteay Prei Nokor - UNESCO World Heritage Centre
↑ O'Reilly, D.J.W (2006), Early Civilizations of Southeast Asia, Rowman Altamira.
↑ Ensemble de Banteay Prei Nokor - UNESCO World Heritage Centre

References

Ensemble de Banteay Prei Nokor - UNESCO World Heritage Centre

O'Reilly, D.J.W (2006), Early Civilizations of Southeast Asia, Rowman Altamira.

Angkorian sites

Angkorian sites in Cambodia

Angkor

Ak Yum Angkor Wat Baksei Chamkrong Banteay Kdei Banteay Samré Banteay Srei Phnom Dei Bat Chum Chau Say Tevoda East Baray East Mebon Kbal Spean Krol Ko Neak Pean Phnom Bakheng Phnom Bok Phnom Krom Phnom Kulen Prasat Kravan Preah Khan Pre Rup Spean Thma Srah Srang Ta Keo Ta Nei Ta Prohm Ta Som Thommanon West Baray West Mebon Yasodharapura

Angkor Thom	Angkor Thom Baphuon The Bayon The Khleangs Mangalartha Phimeanakas Prasat Suor Prat Preah Palilay Preah Pithu Terrace of the Elephants Terrace of the Leper King

Roluos	Roluos Bakong Lolei Preah Ko

Elsewhere

Angkorian sites in Thailand

Isan

Khorat Plateau	Ban Anan Ban Bu Ban Chan Ban Chang Pi Ban Plai Ban Pluang Ban Samor Ban Sanom Chom Phra Don Tuan Huai Thap Than Khok Prasat Ku Ka Sing Ku San Tarat Ku Suan Tang Kuti Ruesi Ban Muang Khok Kuti Ruesi Ban Nong Bua Rai Muang Khaek Muang Tum Nang Ram Nong Plong Nong Ta Plaeng Phimai Pha Nom Wan Phnom Rung Phum Pon Pluei Noi Prang Goo Prang Phom ma Tat Ta Khwai Ta Leng Ta Muan Ta Muan Tod Ta Muen Thom Tra Piang Tia Ta Tom Thamor Sikhoraphum Wat Chao Chan Wat Dong Muang Tei Wat Kampang Lang Wat Prang Thong Wat Sa Kampaeng Noi Wat Sa Kampaeng Yai Yai Ngao

Sakonnakhon Plateau	Ban Panna Choeng Chum Dum Narai Cheng Weng Phu Pek

Elsewhere

Khao Lon
Khao Noi
Mueang Sing
Prang Khaek
Prang Sam Yod
San Pra Kan
Sdok Kok Thom
Sri Tep historical park

Angkorian sites in Laos

Oum Moung Wat Phou Rueang Hin

Disputed Angkorian sites

Cambodian–Thai border stand-off

Coordinates: 12°00′02″N 105°26′43″E / 12.00056°N 105.44528°E / 12.00056; 105.44528

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