Bakong

Bakong is one of the mountain temples belonging to the Khmer Empire. It is the largest and most impressive structure in the Roluos region. Located within the Hariharalaya site, this temple is near the Angkor archaeological site and Tonlé Sap Lake, 15 km east of Siem Reap.

History

Dedicated solely to the deity Shiva, Bakong was built in 881 by King Indravarman I on the site of the ancient city of Hariharalaya. At that time, this place was the state temple of the Khmer Empire.

During the reign of Jayavarman II, the first king of Angkor, Hariharalaya served as the capital of the empire. Today, it is known as Roluos.

As the first sandstone mountain temple of the Khmer Empire, this site now stands as a collection of grayish ruins and deserted structures.

Visiting the Bakong Temple

The Bakong temple occupies a vast area with a perimeter of 3 km. Surrounded by two moats and three enclosure walls, the temple features several small palaces called prasat in Khmer and a giant multi-tiered pyramidal structure. Through the moats, each side of the walls has an entrance gate topped by a gopura, a type of vaulted structure surmounted by a tower.

As the first temple created by the rulers of the Khmer Empire, Bakong is identified as a beautiful example of Khmer Hindu temple architecture. Through its design, the site is specifically conceived to represent Mount Meru, a sacred mountain in Hindu mythology. Its central palace is built in a pyramidal style to reflect this concept.

The Central Pyramid, the Jewel of Bakong

The Bakong temple stands out due to its central pyramid located within the inner enclosure. Reconstructed between 1936 and 1943 by Maurice Glaize, a member of the École Française d'Extrême-Orient (EFEO), this structure is the site’s main feature. It is a well-designed architectural marvel whose decorations highlight Hindu culture. With a pyramidal style of five levels, this building stands on a square foundation measuring 65 to 67 meters per side.

On each side of the foundation, there is a staircase leading to the upper level. With each ascending level, the stairs narrow, giving the temple an imposing appearance. Furthermore, each level is flanked by a lion statue acting as a guardian.

On the first level, the central palace is decorated with sculptures of sacred figures from Hindu mythology, including Garuda, Raksasas, Nâga, and Yaksa. At each corner of the tower, there are also stone elephant statues positioned as temple guardians.

The central palace houses eight prasats around the base of the pyramid. Unlike the pyramid, these smaller buildings are constructed with brick, and their lintels are finely sculpted from sandstone. The sculptures on these lintels are the main attraction of the temple. They are detailed and well-preserved masterpieces depicting sacred creatures from Hindu mythology. At the top of the pyramid, a central sanctuary sits above the fourth level, surrounded by the prasats. There are exactly 12 small towers, some of which have collapsed over time. Reconstructed in the late 1930s, this sanctuary is a square four-story tower with a lotus-shaped upper part. The top floor of the tower serves as a testament to the temple’s purpose of honoring the deity Shiva.

How to get there

From Siem Reap city, Bakong is accessible by taxi or tuk-tuk via National Road 6. To save on costs, it is advisable to combine the trip to this site with a visit to Angkor. Upon request, taxi or tuk-tuk drivers can first take you to the Roluos sites before heading to Angkor.

Hours

Generally, the three main temples of the Roluos site are accessible with the Angkor pass.