Pre Rup

Located within the Angkor complex, Pre Rup is the state temple of King Rajendravarman II. It was built in 961 and shares the same dimensions and layout as the Eastern Mebon, which was built 8 years earlier by the same sovereign. Rajendravarman II is known for bringing the capital of the Khmer Empire back to Angkor, 16 years after King Jayavarman IV had moved it to Chok Gargyar (Koh Ker). The major difference between Pre Rup and the Eastern Mebon is that the former features a pyramid-shaped base, symbolizing Mount Meru in Hinduism, representing the center of the world, and it is much higher off the ground.

Dominant Sanctuaries

Five sanctuaries stand atop the Pre Rup pyramid. It was customary at that time to dedicate the sanctuaries to Hindu gods, and Rajendravarman II followed this tradition. Two of the five structures were dedicated to Shiva, a member of the Hindu Trimurti, symbolizing the restorative destruction. One of them houses a statue of the god, depicted in the form of the king. The southeast sanctuary was dedicated to Vishnu, the protective god, also a member of the Trimurti, and the two western sanctuaries were dedicated to the consorts of Shiva and Vishnu, Uma and Lakshmi, the goddesses seated by their sides.

Five additional sanctuaries were added to the eastern part of the Pre Rup base. These were likely built later during the reign of Jayavarman V. They are also dedicated to Hindu deities, but one location remained vacant: that of a sixth sanctuary that was never constructed.