Localisation

80 km in the North East of Siemreap

Style

Angkorian Period – 10th Century

Construction - Inauguration

Foundation of the new capital in 928

Initiator

Jayavarman IV (928-944)

Dedication

Hindu – Shiva

Visit

Three to four hours

Caracteristics

• Koh Ker was the Capital of the Khmer Empire for a very brief period from the year 928 to 944 AD. In this short time; some very spectacular buildings and huge sculptures were constructed.
• Prasat Thom is a 30-meter high seven-level pyramidal structure quite steep and was the virtual centre of Koh Ker.
• Most of its big statues are now at the National Museum of Phnom Penh.

Comments

• A huge linga, the best preserved in Cambodia, is standing on a yoni, representing the vulva according the Hindu tradition, big enough to contain several persons. !
• Left to the jungle for nearly a millennium and mostly un-restored; this great archaeological site is rarely visited.
• Koh Ker is a paradise for those who want to see the interaction between man made structures and nature out of the crowd way. The point of view is splendid over the fields and forests after some adventurous ascent.