The small temple of Preah Palilay was built 400 meters northwest of Phimeanakas, in a small natural paradise amidst the silk-cotton trees that wind through its foundations. Regularly cut to maintain their growth cycle, these trees always regrow. It is the only temple in Angkor that has preserved all of its Buddhist representations, which decorate its eastern gateway. The exact date of its construction is not entirely clear, but religious clues suggest it was built after the Hindu reaction that followed the reign of Jayavarman VII, meaning in the 13th century.
The architecture of Preah Palilay Temple is divided into five distinct parts. The eastern gate has retained all of its Buddhist-influenced pediments. Buddha is prominently featured, often accompanied by elephants. Above this entrance, another, more recent Buddha statue stands on the path, flanked by two dvarapalas, the temple guardians, and a cruciform terrace adorned with naga balustrades. It is one of the best-preserved elements on the Angkor site. You will find the sanctuary after passing through the eastern gate. Experts believe that this temple is one of the last to have been built at Angkor.