Thread on Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk

In the language of Khmer, the Archaeological site of Ancient Ishanapura has been recognised as “the temple in the abundance of the forest.” The Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk is the most famous area in this archaeological site. This asset consists of more than one hundred temples. Among them, ten are octagonal in shape, a unique instance of their category in the South-East Asian region. The decorated sandstone used as a component in the construction symbolises the pre-Angkor ornamental location and is renowned as the Sambor Prei Kuk Form. These components comprise pediments, lintels, and colonnades, which are the true coupes. 

Temple Zone Of Sambor Prei Kuk: Location

The Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk is an archaeological site that belongs to the Pre-Angkorian period. The place was connected with Ishanapura, the capital city of the Chenla Empire. It is positioned on the bank of the Tonle Sap lake. The central portion of Sambor Prei Kuk is categorised into some groups. Every group has a square arrangement that is encompassed by a wall. The constructions of the whole archaeological area were built at different times.

Temple Zone Of Sambor Prei Kuk: History

In the 20th century, US President Richard Nixon commanded a secret bombing of Cambodia to fight the guerrillas of the Khmer Rouge as well as any effect of North Vietnam in the country. The US airship bombed several parts of this archaeological site, creating several cavities near the temples. This site was enlisted to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2017.

Temple Zone Of Sambor Prei Kuk: The Clusters

The entire temple complex consists of three clusters, and they are further categorised as several groups. Group N denotes the North, C denotes Central, and S denotes the South. There were hundreds of Hindu temples, and the majority of the temples are in broken-down condition today.

• Group N: This group is known as Prasat Sambor. It is reviewed as the prime temple, dating back to the 7th century. 
• Group S: This group is known as Prasat Yeah Puon. It includes almost 22 sanctuaries that date back to the period of Isanavarman I.
• Group C: This group is known as Prasat Boram, and the Central Sanctuary inhabits it. It belongs to the 9th century.

Temple Zone Of Sambor Prei Kuk: World Heritage Site

In 2017, UNESCO acknowledged this Archaeological site of Ancient Ishanapura as a ‘World Heritage Site’. This site speaks of the cultural importance of Ancient Kishanpura. Some of the first examples of visual tales in temple décor go above the earlier armorial displays of gods in miniature figures, such as small humans riding mythological beasts. The temples are thought to present God Indra’s floating palace, Indra’s and 33 gods’ heaven. 

This big capital was fully equipped with an efficient water management system on the topic of town design in the archaeological site. There were three water-pumping set-ups to fulfil the residents’ water requirements. It satisfies the Criteria (iii)( proposed by UNESCO), which states that the site must manifest a unique or an extra-ordinary assertion of the cultural heritage which had disappeared or is still living today. This excellent archaeological site also attains the criteria, pivoted on capturing noticeably connected living events or traditions with literary and artistic works of magnificent global significance.

Temple Zone Of Sambor Prei Kuk: Protection and Management

Sambor Prei Kuk’s site is an asset to the Government of Cambodia. It is under the protection of the Law of National Heritage with the appropriate allocation set up by the authorities. The SPK Group was established to conserve, manage and protect the policy guidelines from recognising challenges and issues related to this archaeological site. This Group also applied the Management Plan to conserve cultural heritage. This plan concentrates on protecting historic ponds, gardens, and exposed spaces, improving public areas and visitor amenities, preserving the archaeological sediments, and many more commitments.

Temple Zone Of Sambor Prei Kuk: Facts

• There are at least 46 temples positioned outside the three prime temple compounds.
• We can see that a parapet is carved with the depictions of musical instruments, and an orchestra displays the significance of primitive music schooling.
• This site displays the proof of the preliminary application of the Khmer and Sanskrit language.

Conclusion

Despite the decay, the stationary Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk showcases the authenticity in design and form and gives an idea of the Indian architectural and cultural effect during the period of Chenla in a special Sambor Prei Kuk Form. Regarding the materials, the remains maintain the quality of their genuine material due to the restoration of the disfigured brickwork, which carries on the applications of ancient bricks and traditional techniques. The authority has done some minor reconstruction works to secure structural stability. Several other temple residues are still in a highly vulnerable state, awaiting conservation and consolidation.