Phanom Rung Historical Park

Phanom Rung Historical Park

Phanom Rung Historical Park Location in Thailand
Name
Proper name	Phanom Rung
Geography
Coordinates	14°31′57″N 102°56′30″E / 14.53250°N 102.94167°E / 14.53250; 102.94167Coordinates: 14°31′57″N 102°56′30″E / 14.53250°N 102.94167°E / 14.53250; 102.94167
Country	Thailand
Province	Buriram
Culture
Primary deity	Shiva
Architecture
Architectural styles	Khmer
History and governance
Date built	10th–13th centuries

Phanom Rung (Thai: พนมรุ้ง), or full name, Prasat Hin Phanom Rung (Thai: ปราสาทหินพนมรุ้ง – Phanom Rung Stone Castle), is a Khmer temple complex set on the rim of an extinct volcano at 402 metres (1,319 ft) elevation, in Buriram Province in the Isan region of Thailand. It was built of sandstone and laterite in the 10th to 13th centuries. It was a Hindu shrine dedicated to Shiva, and symbolises Mount Kailash, his heavenly dwelling.

Thailand's Department of Fine Arts spent 17 years restoring the complex to its original state from 1971 to 1988. On 21 May 1988, the park was officially opened by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.^[1] In 2005, the temple was submitted to UNESCO for consideration as a future World Heritage Site.

Architecture

After the three-leveled lower stairway is the first cruciform platform, giving a first peek at the main temple. On the right, northward, is Phlab Phla or the White Elephant House. The pavilion is believed to be the place where kings and the royal family would change attire before rituals. Royalty would then enter the processional walkway, one of the most impressive elements of the park. It is 160 meters long and bordered by seventy sandstone posts with tops of lotus buds. The walkway itself is paved with laterite blocks.

The walkway leads to the first of three naga bridges. The five-headed snakes face all four directions and are from the 12th century. This bridge represents the connection between heaven and earth. The naga bridge leads to the upper stairway, which is divided into five sets. Each set has terraces on the sides. The last terrace is wide, made with laterite blocks. It has a cruciform shape and four small pools. A couple more steps lead to the second naga bridge. It has the same shape as the first one, only smaller. In the middle the remains of an eight petalled lotus carving can be seen.

This final terrace leads to the outer gallery. It probably used to be a wooden gallery with a tiled roof, but only a raised floor of laterite remains. After the outer gallery one reaches the inner gallery, which is divided in long and narrow rooms. It served as a wall around the principal tower. This last gallery leads to the third and last naga bridge, another small copy of the first one.

The bridge leads directly into the main sanctuary. After the antechamber and the annex, one reaches the principal tower. Double porches lead out in all directions. The inner sanctum used to have the "linga", the divine symbol of Shiva. Currently, only the "somasutra" remains which was used to drain water during religious rites. The entrances have various lintels and icons depicting Hindu religious stories, e.g., the dancing Shiva and the five yogi's. The south entrance is guarded by a sandstone statue.

Apart from the main tower, other buildings in the compound are:

Two brick sanctuaries built around the 10th century, northeast of the tower.
The minor sanctuary southwest of the tower with a sandstone altar for a sacred image. It was built with sandstone in the 11th century. Prang Noi has only one entrance facing east. The sanctuary is square with indented corners, giving it a round feel.
Two Bannalai southeast and northeast of the principal tower. The buildings are rectangular and have only one entrance. They were built in the last period, around the 13th century, and used as a library for holy scriptures.

Phanom Rung temple

Layout of Phanom Rung temple

References

↑ "Phnom Rung Historical Park". Retrieved 9 Jul 2006. Printed by Joseph Plastic Crad (Korat) and Print Co. Ltd.

External links

Nang Rong travel guide from Wikivoyage

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Phanom Rung Historical Park.

Hindu temples in Thailand

Erawan Shrine Muang Tum Phanom Rung historical park Sdok Kok Thom

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

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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

Tourism in Buriram Province

Buriram Urban	Lower Northeastern Cultural Centre The Monument of King Rama I Khao Kradong Forest Park Kradong Reservoir Huai Talat Reservoir Buri Ram Bird Park

Upper section	Big Buddha Image, Buriram Phrachao Yai Wat Hong Na Pho Silk Weaving Village Ku Suan Taeng PlayLaPloen Boutique Resort and Adventure Camp

Lower section	Phanom Rung historical park Wat Khao Angkhan Thung Laem Reservoir Muang Tum Ang Kep Nam Sanam Bin Non-hunting Area Stone Quarry, Buriram Ancient Kiln Sites, Buriram Prasat Wat Khok Ngio Rao Su Monument Lam Nang Rong Dam Prasat Nong Hong

List of tourist attractions

Place of worship in Buriram Province

Buddhism	Wat Klang Phra Aram Luang, Buriram Wat Isan, Buriram Suphatthara Bophit Buddha Image Big Buddha Image, Buriram Phrachao Yai Wat Hong Wat Khao Angkhan List

Islam	Anwa Russalam Mosque

Christianity	Buriram Church Marie Anusorn School Church

Hindu	Buriram Spirit house Ku Suan Taeng Phanom Rung historical park Muang Tum Prasat Wat Khok Ngio Prasat Nong Hong

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