Pre Rup, Cambodia
Copyright © Timothy Tye. Stock Photo for Sale
Pre Rup
Cambodia
Pre Rup is the state temple of King Rajendravarman's capital. It was built in the middle of the 10th century, and is located about 500 meters south of the southern bank of the now dry East Baray. Its appearance is similar to East Mebon, although Pre Rup is a temple mountain while East Mebon is not. Pre Rup is located at the site of an ashrama dedicated to Shiva - in the century before it was built, King Yasovarman I had built four ashramas or hostels along the south bank of the East Baray and dedicated them to Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma and the Buddha.
As is often the case, the modern name of this temple, "Pre Rup" is misleading and inaccurate. It means "turning the body", referring to the rite of turning the corpse during cremation rites. This has nothing to do with the Pre Rup temple at all, and only provided a colorful topic for tourist guides to tell visitors.
The existence of a stone cistern to the east of the pyramid temple has linked it to the legend of the king killed by the sweet cucumber gardener, which you can read about in the documentation of Banteay Samre.
Being a state temple, Pre Rup is located right at the centre of Rajendravarman's city. The actual name of the temple was Rajendrabhadresvara, the same as the principal deity in the temple. Rajendravarman's city occupied a one square kilometer area around the temple, reaching the south bank of the East Baray. The outer enclosure of Pre Rup is a laterite wall measuring 127 meters east-west and 117 meters north-south. Entry to the temple is via a causeway that runs for a few hundred meters to the east side of Pre Rup.
Pre Rup rises steeply on three tiers from a base measuring 50 meters on each side. At the top is a 35 square meter platform about 12 meters above ground level. Here we find 12 small shrines around the edge of the platform. At the centre are five sanctuary towers arranged in quincunx, with the center one being the largest. Flanking the eastern approach to the central sanctuary are two "library" structures.
Pre Rup is 2.3 km east of Srah Srang and 1.4 km south of East Mebon. Coming from the direction of Srah Srang, Pre Rup is located where the road makes a left cornering. The main entrance to Pre Rup is located to the left of the road.
