Baksei Chamkrong

Baksei Chamkrong
The temple mountain of Baksei Chamkrong
Baksei Chamkrong Location in Cambodia
Name
Proper name	Prasat Baksei Chamkrong
Geography
Coordinates	13°25′31″N 103°51′29″E / 13.4253122°N 103.8581318°E / 13.4253122; 103.8581318Coordinates: 13°25′31″N 103°51′29″E / 13.4253122°N 103.8581318°E / 13.4253122; 103.8581318
Country	Cambodia
Province	Siem Reap
Locale	Angkor
Elevation	13 m (43 ft)
Culture
Primary deity	Shiva
Architecture
Architectural styles	Khmer (Bakheng to Koh Ker style)
Number of temples	1 tower
History and governance
Date built	968
Creator	Harshavarman I, restored by Rajendravarman II

Baksei Chamkrong (Khmer: ប្រាសាទបក្សីចាំក្រុង) is a small Hindu temple located in the Angkor complex (Siem Reap, Cambodia). It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and used to hold a golden image of him. The temple can be seen on the left side when entering Angkor Thom at the southern gate. It was dedicated to Yasovarman by his son, King Harshavarman I. The temple was completed by Rajendravarman II (944-968).

The name Baksei Chamkrong means "The Bird Who Shelters Under Its Wings" and comes from a legend. In it, the king tried to flee Angkor during a siege and then a huge bird landed and sheltered him under its wings.

This temple is one of the first temples constructed of durable material such as bricks and laterite and with decoration in sandstone. A brick enclosure originally surrounded the pyramid with a stone gopura on the east side is now almost completely disappeared. Much of the stucco on the surface of the temple has vanished. The main sandstone lintel is decorated with a fine carving of Indra standing on his three-headed elephant Airavata. Garlands emanate from either side of Indra in the style current to the monument. There is an inscription on either side of the small doorway which detail the dedication and praises the early Khmer kings from Jayavarman II onward as well as earlier legendary kings, including the ancestor of the nation, the hermit Kambu.

The pyramid measures 27 metres across at the base and 15 at the summit for an overall height of 13 metres. Four stairway reach the summit at the cardinal points. The brick sanctuary tower, eight meters square on a sandstone base open to the east with the usual blind doors on the other sides.