Date of Construction:
Mid 12th - Early 13th century C.E.
Religious Affiliation:
Buddhist
|
Patron or King:
Jayavarman VII
Artistic/Archeo. Style:
Bayon
Location: AAP/PC
Duration of Visit: 45
minutes 1-1/2 hours
Time to Visit: Anytime. Less
crowded in the early morning.
Position:
13d26'05N 103d53'20E
Of similar design to the later Jayavarman VII
temples of
Preah Khan
and Banteay
Kdei, this quiet, sprawling
monastic complex is only partially cleared of jungle overgrowth.
Intentionally left partially unrestored, massive fig and
silk-cotton trees grow from the towers and corridors offering
some of the best ‘tree-in-temple’ photo opportunities at Angkor.
Flocks of noisy parrots flit from tree to tree adding to the
jungle atmosphere. Ta Prohm is well worth an extended
exploration of its dark corridors and open plazas. This temple
was one of Jayavarman VII's first major temple projects. Ta
Prohm was dedicated to his mother. (Preah Khan, built
shortly after Ta Prohm in the same general style, was dedicated
to Jayavarman VII’s father.) Ta Prohm was originally
constructed as a Buddhist monastery and was enormously wealthy
in its time, boasting of control over 3000 villages, thousands
of support staff and vast stores of jewels and gold. Of the
monastic complex style temples, Ta Prohm is a superior
example and should be included in almost any temple itinerary. |
