Ta Prohm
One of the most prolific temples in Cambodia, Ta Prohm is located one kilometer east of Angkor Thom and is on the southern side of the East Baray. It is well known for its surrounding flora and the trees growing out of its ruins. The temple was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992. Ta Prohm was built in 12th century by Jayavarman VII. The main image of the temple represents Prajnaparamita and is modeled after the king’s mother. The documents show that the temple site housed over 12,500 people and was repository of gold and pearls. However, the temple was abandoned in the 15th century, after the decline of Khmer Empire.
The layout of the temple is in classic flat Khmer style. There are five rectangular walls surrounding the central sanctuary. Each cardinal point has entrance gopuras. However, now only east and west gopuras are used for entrance. The inner three enclosures are galleried. Compared to Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm does not have many narrative reliefs but does have some stone reliefs depicting gods and monks.
The most striking feature of Ta Prohm is the trees growing out of the ruins. It is believed that there are two prominent vegetation species including silk-cotton trees and the strangler fig or gold apple trees. The temple was used as a location for the Hollywood movie Tomb Raider.
The layout of the temple is in classic flat Khmer style. There are five rectangular walls surrounding the central sanctuary. Each cardinal point has entrance gopuras. However, now only east and west gopuras are used for entrance. The inner three enclosures are galleried. Compared to Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm does not have many narrative reliefs but does have some stone reliefs depicting gods and monks.
The most striking feature of Ta Prohm is the trees growing out of the ruins. It is believed that there are two prominent vegetation species including silk-cotton trees and the strangler fig or gold apple trees. The temple was used as a location for the Hollywood movie Tomb Raider.
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