Lolei

Overview

Lolei is an ancient Hindu temple located in the Roluos Group of temples near Siem Reap, Cambodia. It is considered one of the earliest temples built in the Angkor area and is thought to have been constructed in the late 9th or early 10th century.

Lolei consists of four brick towers that are located on an island in the center of a now-dry moat. The towers are connected by a causeway and are believed to have been dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The temple is known for its well-preserved carvings, which depict scenes from Hindu mythology and everyday life in ancient Cambodia.

Lolei is considered one of the most important and well-preserved temples in the Angkor area and is a popular tourist destination. Visitors to the temple can admire its intricate carvings and learn about the history and culture of the ancient Khmer civilization.

Perhaps because bricks were mainly used, the ruins were badly damaged, and only four shrines remain today. Some of them are badly broken. In the photo below, the shrine on the left has completely collapsed, leaving a part.

Lolei

Still, there are parts of the relief where sandstone was used, and only those parts remain clean.

Lolei

A linga is enshrined in the center of the four shrines. If you look at the place where something like a stone gutter with a groove is placed, it seems that there was once a mechanism for water to flow.

Lolei

Lolei tours (Rulous Group temple)

To visit Lolei temple, choose a tour that visits Rulous Group of templesTo see full list of tours for Rulous Group, click here. In some tours, you can also visit Kampong Khleang Floating Village.