Baksei Chamkrong

This steep, small temple may have been the only pyramid that did not serve as state temple (other than perhaps phimmeanakas); dedicated to Lord Shiva and originally housing an image of the god cast in gold, the temple has beautiful inscriptions on the doorway of the central sanctuary and commands an excellent view of the moat and enclosure of Angkor Thom.

Baksei Chamkrong, which lies north of Angkor Wat along the road leading to Angkor Thom, is the most pronounced pyramid-style temple, with a steep flight of laterite stairs leading up to a lone, eastward facing tower.

The original temple at this sight was built by Harshavarman I who honored his ancestors (including Indravarman I and Yasovarman I) with statues in the round, though the inscription on the eastern doorway explains that the tower was dedicated to Shiva in 948, during the reign of Rajendravarman II.

The inscriptions are particularly interesting to historians for references to other kings, including Kambu, the legendary founder of Cambodia, and Jayavarman II, founder of Angkor. Such inscriptions, along with Rajendravarman’s numerous temple dedications to various gods, seem to have been part of an effort to legitimize his rule after moving the capital back to Yasodharapura following the Koh Ker period, though it is known from other inscriptions that Rajendravarman was indeed from an impressive royal lineage.

Atop the temple, a lone brick tower stands 12 meters above the ground and features an eastward facing lintel adorned by Indra atop Airavata, the three-headed elephant. The beautiful inscriptions in the doorway are particularly noteworthy, and there is a small reclining Buddha within the tower.