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Phanom Rung Historical Park |
Written by Daniel Jowssey
Tuesday, 29 April 2008
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Prasaat Phanom Rung and Muang Tam are located in Buriram. Prasaat Phanom Rung is one of the most significant Khmer monuments in Thailand. It was built in the 10th-13th century A.D. Phanom Rung was a Hindu Saivite (Shiva) monastery. Sculptures also present images of Vishnu. A processional way leads through Naga bridges to the main sanctuary. Lintels, pediments depict the Hindu Gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, with also scenes of the Ramayana. The most famous lintel (Vishnu Anantasayin) depicts Vishnu reclining on the back of the Naga King Ananta. This lintel disappeared for many years outside the country, but was recently returned. The setting of Phanom Rung is quite scenic, with views of the countryside all around. The site is probably the most visited Khmer monument in Thailand. If you want it quieter, be sure to arrive before 10 A.M. Muang Tam ('low city') is located nearby, and is worth a visit all by itself. Around its main structure, five 'brick' towers and ponds with lotus flowers are present. There is not much supervision and school children seem to use the area as a playing ground. Phanom Rung Historical Park Around 64 kilometers southward of Buriram Town, in amphoe Chaloem Phrakeart is Phanom Rung Historical Park. You can get there both by driving and taking local bus (Nakhon Ratchasima-Surin), then get off at Ban Tago. Phrasart Hin Phanom Rung (Phrasart Hin Meane Khmer's stone temples) is localed on an extinct volcano which is 200 meters high. It is one of the most beautiful stone temples in Thailand. According to Hinduism, this temple was built to be the residence of Load Siva around a thousand years ago. The greatness of the site starts from the stairway from the foot of the hill to the top. Along the way there are also many constructions made from laterite and sandstone, with find and exquisite sculpted decoration. Moreover in order to det to the main stupa, you will have to pass the three Nage Bridges, which are believed to be the passages that link the earth and heaven together. Phrasart Muang Tam Only around 5 kilometers away from Phrasart Hin Pha nom Rung, Phrasart Hin Mung Tam is a group of religious houses of Khmer. It consists of five stupas made of brick located on the same base, surrounded by two leveled walls. Archways are placed at the four sides of these walls, they were all made from sandstone and were exquisitely carved. The two walls parallel each other and thus produce a gallery called ""Rabiang Khod"", whereas relifs sculpted on the outer wall and on the archways tell stories concerning Hinduism. There are also four ponds built between the inner and outer waiis. Their edger were sculpted stones to be the figure of Naga. from these elements, Phrasart Muang Tam becomes the second most beautiful stone temple of Khmer, after Phrasart Hin Phanom Rung. Ban Kruad, the Stone Source If you wonder where the ancient Khmer could find such a large number of stones to create these constuctions, the answer is 66 kilometers southward of Buriram, in Amphoe Ban Keuad. This place is also called ""Laeng Hin Tad"", or the stone source. It is belived that, it was from this very site that the Khmer took the stones to built those temples in the southern Isan, for some of these stones still have the marks of extraction in them. Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com |
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