Prasat Kravan, Cambodia
Copyright © Timothy Tye. Stock Photo for Sale
Prasat Kravan
Cambodia
Prasat Kravan is a moderate-size Angkor ruin located on the road between Angkor Wat and Banteay Kdei. It was built in the early 10th century in the Bakheng to Koh Ker styles, by a group of noblemen, during the brief reign of King Harshavarman I or King Isanavarman II. Prasat Kravan is significant in the sense that it is the only Angkor ruin where you can find the carvings done directly onto the bricks. The name Prasat Kravan is a modern Khmer name for the ruin. It means "cardamon sanctuary", and is taken for the cardamon tree that stood in its compound.
Prasat Kravan consists of five sanctuary towers. Today only the central and south tower have their superstructure standing. The superstructure consists of receding tiers. Prasat Kravan provided archaeologists an opportunity to appreciate the level of workmanship apparent during Angkorian time. The bricks were placed without mortar - a vegetable compound was used to hold them together. The whole temple was completed restored in the 1960s, when all the bricks were dismantled, numbered and put back. Missing bricks were replaced by new ones. These can be identified by the letters "CA" representing "Conservation Angkor" marking the new bricks.
Prasat Kravan is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu. The carving of Vishnu riding on his mount, the Garuda bird, can be seen in the central sanctuary. Each of the walls of the central sanctuary shows Vishnu. In the north sanctuary, we see representations of Vishnu's consort Lakshmi carved on the brick walls. On the left wall of the sanctuary is a four-armed Laskshmi with attendants kneeling before her.
