The compact, unique five tower temple on the outskirts of Angkor town Pre Rup is a prelude temple to Angkor Wat, and often mistaken for the world famous symbol of Angkor and the Kingdom of Cambodia. It was the state temple of King Rajendravarman II, built just south of East Mebon and 6 km east of Angkor Thom in 961CE. The king was one of the first true great kings of the Angkor Empire. He expanded the empire north to China, engulfing Laos and most of Thailand, and south into southern Viet Nam. Prasat Pre RupIt is built in mountain temple design with five towers, prangs, on top, reminiscent of the Mehru Mountain home of the hindu pantheon of gods. Inscription in the temple mentions that the five prangs were dedicated to Shiva (central tower and one of the surrounding towers), Vishnu, Parvati (the consort of Shiva) and Lakshmi (the consort of Vishnu). In front of the east entrance, it has three larges flower flanking on each side. On the top, you get some clean cut impressions of early mebon khmer style. But, you also get a fantastic outlook view of khmer angkor culture landscape and nature. The temple was built over 200 years before the largest five-tower temple complex in the world, and is often mistaken, or used as an alternative to illustrate Angkor Wat simply because it a compact version of the same design idea. And, it takes some time to get your head around how large the newer complex actually is. Pre Rup is still one of my favourite sights in Angkor Archeological park. https://www.renown-travel.com/cambodia/angkor/pre-rup.html #prasat #pre #rup #angkortemples #angkor #top5 #2011CE #red #sandstone #blue #rainyseason #world #culturalheritage (ved ប្រាសាទប្រែរូប- Pre Rub Temple) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTcdhWsJDBo/?utm_medium=tumblr
