West Prasat Top, Angkor
Photo courtesy of Benny Yap, used with permission. All rights reserved.
Prasat Top (West)
Angkor, Cambodia
West Prasat Top, also called Prasat Top West, is one of the obscure Angkor ruins located between the Bayon and the West Gopura of Angkor Thom. I am assisted with this write up by Benny Yap, who explored West Prasat Top recently. To reach it, take the dirt road from the Bayon towards the West Gopura. About 1.5km down this dirt track, you will sees an opening in the forest on the left. There are two tiny white pegs on either side of the opening. Following this jungle path for 100 metres takes you to Prasat Top West.
Originally a Hindu shrine built possibly in the 10th century, West Prasat Top was later adapted from the 13th century onwards as a Buddhist temple. It bears much similarity in appearance to the Mangalartha temple, also called the East Prasat Top. It is not a spectacular ruin and is rarely visited except by Angkor completists.
Front view of West Prasat Top
Photo courtesy of Benny Yap, used with permission. All rights reserved.
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