Bakong

Overview

Bakong is a temple located in the Roluos Group of temples in Cambodia. It is considered to be the first large temple mountain of sandstone built in the Angkor region, and is considered one of the most important and impressive examples of early Khmer architecture. Bakong was built during the reign of King Indravarman I in the late 9th century and is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

The temple is built in the form of a pyramid, with five tiers, each adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures depicting scenes from Hindu mythology. The main sanctuary of the temple is located on the top tier and is surrounded by a moat. The walls of the temple are covered with bas-reliefs depicting scenes from Hindu legends, as well as images of Hindu deities.

Bakong is considered an important symbol of the Khmer empire and its cultural heritage, and is a popular tourist destination in Cambodia. The temple has undergone significant restoration work in recent years, and visitors can now explore its many intricate carvings and admire its impressive architecture. The temple is located in the town of Roluos, about 13 km from the main Angkor temple complex, and can be reached by car or by bicycle.

When you enter the premises of Bakong Temple from the east side, you will be greeted by a Naga statue at the bridge that crosses the moat. Although it is in pain, it is a large naga with a very stately appearance.

Naga

After crossing the ring moat, is there an elementary school on the left? ! and on the right is the current temple. After passing through the two-storied gate on the second wall, you can see the central shrine of Bagong Temple in front of you.

Bakong

Below is the view from the top of Bakong Temple. There are few reliefs compared to other ruins, but it seems that many of them have already been weathered. There are statues such as elephants, so please look for them.

Bakong

If you look closely at the central sanctuary of Bakong Temple, you can see that there used to be fine reliefs.

Bakong

One of the few reliefs in good condition remains at the base of the fifth layer, the Ashura relief. Other than this, only a faint relief remains, and most of the relief that once surrounded the fifth layer has been lost.

Ashura relief

Tours to Bakong

There are several Angkor tours that visit Bakong. You can check full lists from here.