Prang (architecture)

A prang (Khmer: ប្រាង្គ) is a tall tower-like spire, usually richly carved. They were a common shrine element of Hindu and Buddhist architecture in the Khmer Empire. They were later adapted by Buddhist builders in Thailand, especially during the Ayutthaya Kingdom (1350–1767) and Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782-1932). In Thailand it appears only with the most important Buddhist temples.

The term prang is a portmanteau of the Sanskrit terms pra- ('forward, in front') and aṅga (limb of the body).

Prang tower took form of a multi-tiered structure with receding size as it ascends. The receding size of almost identical roof structures of the stepped pyramidal tower, creates a perspective illusion as if the tower is taller than it actually is. The form of the tower is a reminiscent of Indic shikhara of Hindu temple, although slightly different in design. On each cardinal points, a prang usually has richly adorned tympanum and lintel above doorways or blind doors. The prang took plan of multi corners rectangular, which on top of each roof steps are adorned with antefixes, which mostly took theme of multi-headed Nāgas, Garuda or deities.

Originally the Khmer prang temples were for the worship of the Hindu gods, such as Shiva and Vishnu. The space within the prang tower, the cella, was relatively small for two reasons:

The Cella was entered via a small porch, usually aligned to the east, which was called the Mandapa. Over the cubic Cella rose the central tower, the bud-shaped Prang, modeled after the cosmic mountain Meru, crowned by a top stone in form of a lotus bud.

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