East Mebon

East Mebon
East Mebon
Location in Cambodia
Name
Proper name East Mebon
Geography
Coordinates 13°26′48″N 103°55′12″E / 13.44667°N 103.92000°E / 13.44667; 103.92000Coordinates: 13°26′48″N 103°55′12″E / 13.44667°N 103.92000°E / 13.44667; 103.92000
Country Cambodia
Location Angkor
Culture
Primary deity Shiva
Architecture
Architectural styles Khmer
History and governance
Date built 10th century A.D.
Creator Rajendravarman

The East Mebon(Khmer: ប្រាសាទមេបុណ្យខាងកើត) is a 10th Century temple at Angkor, Cambodia. Built during the reign of King Rajendravarman, it stands on what was an artificial island at the center of the now dry East Baray reservoir.[1]:73–75[2]:116

The East Mebon was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and honors the parents of the king. Its location reflects Khmer architects’ concern with orientation and cardinal directions. The temple was built on a north-south axis with Rajendravarman’s state temple, Pre Rup, located about 1,200 meters to the south just outside the baray. The East Mebon also lies on an east-west axis with the palace temple Phimeanakas, another creation of Rajendravarman’s reign, located about 6,800 meters due west.

Built in the general style of Pre Rup, the East Mebon was dedicated in 953 AD. It has two enclosing walls and three tiers. It includes the full array of durable Khmer construction materials: sandstone, brick, laterite and stucco. At the top is a central tower on a square platform, surrounded by four smaller towers at the platform’s corners. The towers are of brick; holes that formerly anchored stucco are visible.

The sculpture at the East Mebon is varied and exceptional, including two-meter-high free-standing stone elephants at corners of the first and second tiers. Religious scenes include the god Indra atop his three-headed elephant Airavata, and Shiva on his mount, the sacred bull Nandi. Carving on lintels is particularly elegant.

Visitors looking out from the upper level today are left to imagine the vast expanses of water that formerly surrounded the temple. Four landing stages at the base give reminder that the temple was once reached by boat.

Lintel showing Indra on Airavata 
Elephant sculpture at the East Mebon 
East Mebon guardian elephant 
Main gate 
Detail 
Lower terrace with elephant sculpture 
Main temple 
Interior of the temple 

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eastern Mebon.

References

  1. Higham, C., 2001, The Civilization of Angkor, London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, ISBN 9781842125847
  2. Coedès, George (1968). Walter F. Vella, ed. The Indianized States of Southeast Asia. trans.Susan Brown Cowing. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 978-0-8248-0368-1.
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