Neak Pean, Cambodia
Copyright © Timothy Tye. Stock Photo for Sale
Neak Pean
Cambodia
Neak Pean is one of the more unusually shaped temple at Angkor. It is actually an arrangement of ponds that are located on an island surrounded by a man-made reservoir of the Jayatataka Baray that is now dry. Neak Pean represents the sacred Himalayan lake of Anavatapta, and is believed to be the source of four great rivers coming out of the mouths of a lion, an elephant, a horse and an ox. Originally fashioned as a royal Hindu site, Neak Pean was remodelled with Buddhist symbolism much later. The name "Neak Pean", pronounced "neak-poon" is a modern Khmer name - an inscription on a stele at Preah Khan gives it the name "Rajyasri", meaning "The Fortune of the Kingdom".
Like East Mebon, West Mebon and Lolei, Neak Pean was also designed to be an island temple, surrounded by the baray of Preah Khan, called Jayatataka. It consists of a main pond measuring 70 square meters, with four smaller ponds of 25 square meters at each cardinal point.
Neak Pean is located about 2.5 kilometers to the east of Preah Khan and 2 kilometers to the west of Ta Som along the road called the Grand Circuit. If coming from Preah Khan, it is on the right side. Look for the turning.
