Preah Ko is a Hindu temple located approximately 12 km east of Siem Reap, south of National Road 6. It belongs to the Roluos group, a collection of sanctuaries predating the Angkor site proper, and ranks among the oldest visible Khmer temples today. Its name literally means "the sacred bull" in Khmer, referring to Nandi, the mount of the god Shiva.

Why visit Preah Ko

Preah Ko holds interest for three main reasons:

• Its antiquity: built in 879, it predates Angkor's major construction projects and helps us understand the origins of Khmer architecture.
• Its role as an ancestor temple: its six towers are dedicated to the parents and grandparents of King Indravarman I, making it a textbook example for grasping the dynastic dimension of Khmer sanctuaries.
• The quality of its carved lintels: the sandstone bas-reliefs, still legible, rank among the finest of the pre-Angkor period.

The site is compact and less crowded than the main temples, visited comfortably in about an hour.

History

Preah Ko was built in 879 by King Indravarman I, nephew of Jayavarman II, founder of the Khmer empire. The sovereign had this temple erected to honor his ancestors and associate them with the cult of Shiva. It is one of the first great Khmer temples in brick, erected in the royal capital of Hariharalaya, at the Roluos site, which then constituted the political center of the empire before the transfer to Angkor at the end of the 9th century.

The temple suffered over the centuries, notably from erosion and vegetation. The restoration of the towers in the 1990s, financed by the German government, helped stabilize the structures and restore part of their original volume. Restoration work continued in stages, respecting traditional brick masonry techniques bound with plant-based mortar.

What to see on site

The six prasats

The layout comprises three enclosed walls housing six brick towers arranged in two rows of three. Commonly called the six prasats, these sanctuaries rest on a shared platform and form the heart of the monument:

• Front towers: dedicated to the king's paternal ancestors — Jayavarman II (founder of the Khmer empire), Prithivindreshvara (Indravarman's father) and Rudreshvara (grandfather).
• Rear towers: dedicated to maternal ancestors — Sri Thivindradevi (the king's mother) and Sri Dharanindradevi (wife of Jayavarman II).

The Nandi statues

Three sandstone statues of Nandi, the white bull that serves as Shiva's mount, are positioned in front of the central towers. Heavily eroded, they give the temple its name and recall its Shaivite purpose.

The bas-reliefs

The lintels and pediments bear still-legible sculptures: warriors mounted on three-headed naga serpents, cavaliers and divinity riding a kala. Sanskrit inscriptions, carved on the jambs, complement the iconography. These decorations rank among the best-preserved elements of the site.

Practical information

• Angkor Pass required: Preah Ko is included within the Angkor pass perimeter (1, 3 or 7 days). You must present it at the entrance.
• Hours: the site is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
• Duration of visit: allow 45 minutes to 1 hour to tour the temple.
• Dress code: shoulders and knees covered, as at all Khmer temples.

When to go

The dry season, from November to March, offers the best visiting conditions: more bearable temperatures and clear light on the red bricks. Late morning or late afternoon are most favorable for photographing the lintels: raking light brings out the relief of the sculptures. By contrast, midday flattens the volumes. The rainy season (June to October) remains feasible, with greener vegetation around the temple, but possible afternoon showers.

How to get there

Preah Ko is located approximately 12 km east of Siem Reap, just south of National Road 6. Several options:

• Tuk-tuk: 20 to 30 minutes from central Siem Reap. This is the simplest and most popular way to visit the Roluos group.
• Bicycle: possible for experienced travelers, setting out early in the morning to avoid heat.
• Private car with driver: practical if you combine Roluos with other temples farther away on the same day.

Visiting the Roluos group is often done as a half-day excursion, moving from one of the three sanctuaries to the next.

Nearby

Preah Ko is part of the Roluos group, which gathers the first great temples of the Khmer empire. To complete your visit:

• Bakong: pyramid-shaped temple mountain, the first of its kind in Khmer architecture, a few hundred meters away.
• Lolei: built under Yasovarman I, originally at the center of a baray now dried up.
• Angkor Wat, Baphûon, Pre Rup and Banteay Srey are the other must-sees in the Angkor archaeological park.

Frequently asked questions

Plan your trip

Preah Ko fits naturally into an itinerary around Siem Reap, complementing the great Angkor temples. To prepare your Cambodia itinerary, consult our Cambodia travel guide and our custom trip suggestions.