Bakong, east view

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The object depicted in the image is made of the following material(s): sandstone, laterite

Information about the creation of the object depicted in the image: 881

Information about the restoration of the object depicted in the image: 1936-43

Bakong is the first state temple of Indravarman I (877-c.886) at his capital of Hariharalaya. This enormous five-level pyramid is the first Khmer temple built entirely out of sandstone. The laterite central core is extended by an earth mound. It underwent extensive anastylosis (a process which entails the dismantling of the remains, numbering the stones, and rebuilding it by replacing missing stones with new substitutes) between 1935 and 1940 under the direction of Maurice Glaize, the conservator of Angkor from 1937-1945. The pyramid is Saivite, as indicated by the Nandin (kneeling bull) figures guarding the cardinal points. Monolithic elephants, rather damaged, guard the corners of the lower three levels. Eight sanctuary towers used to surround the pyramid within the inner enclosure, and presumably housed eight images of Siva. Only five are still standing, and they are made of brick and sandstone. Their ornamental lintel and doorway sculptural decorations are characteristic of the Preah Kô style. The pyramid-temple comes close to realizing the conception of Mount Meru, with its five levels symbolizing the five realms of living beings, and the surrounding walled and moated precincts representing the mythological continents and oceans that surround the cosmic mountain.

Source for information about the object depicted in the image: Jessup, Helen Ibbitson. Art and Architecture of Cambodia. London: Thames & Hudson, 2004. Freeman M. and C. Jacques. Ancient Angkor. London: Thames and Hudson, 1999.

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