|
Localisation
|
150 km to the
South East of Siemreap
30 km to the North of the town of Kompong Thom |
|
Style
|
Pré-angkorien |
|
Construction - Inauguration
|
Beginning of 7th
Century (600 years before Angkor Wat) |
|
Initiator
|
Roi Isanavarman
Ier (615-637) |
|
Dedication
|
Hindu, Shiva
(central linga) |
|
Visit
|
Half a day (3 or 4
hours) – a must to understand the origins of the Khmer
civilisation |
|
Caracteristics
|
• Isanapura has
been the first capital of Kampuchea, inhabited by more than
20.000 families, according to Chinese annals !
• This site encompasses at least 176 monuments, among which
106 in a range of 5 kms in the middle of a very welcoming
forest.
• Each of the three groups, dedicated to Shiva and
suggesting the cosmic symbolism of the Mount Meru.(see «
Cultural Glossary ») were surrounded by two walls
• The towers are made of bricks, of varied forms and very
finely sculptured in strong relief
• The decoration is typically of Indian inspiration or copy.
Numerous lions are represented but this animal was never
present in Cambodia.
• Inscriptions in sanskrit
• Beginning of the water control by the construction -
inauguration of artificial lakes (Srah) to supply the rice
fields during the dry season. |
|
Comments
|
• It is a must to
understand the origins of the Khmer civilisation. The worse
while visit will take place in a nice forest, in all
serenity and out of the crowd way.
• I would also like to take this opportunity and let you
discover charming villages and their rice fields. |
)
)