Booking Partner Best Deal

Neak Pean Temple

Neak Pean Temple

  • Travel Location Siem Reap
  • Neak Pean at Angkor, Cambodia is an artificial island with a Buddhist temple on a circular island in Preah Khan Baray built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. It is the "Mebon" of the Preah Khan ...

OVERVIEW

A small island temple located in the middle of the last baray to be constructed by a Khmer king in the Angkor area (Preah Khan Baray or Jayatataka). The central temple sits at the axis of a cross or lotus pattern of eight pools. Originally known as Rajasri, Neak Pean took its modern appellation, which means ‘coiled serpents,’ from the encoiled nagas that encircled the temple. The temple is faced by a statue of the horse, Balaha, saving drowning sailors. Though originally dedicated to Buddha, Neak Pean contains several Hindu images. Neak Pean may have served an absolution function, and the waters were thought to have healing properties. During the dry season when the water is low, check out the animal and human headwater spouts at the outside center of each pool. Neak Pean is most photogenic in the wet season when the pools are full.

Video Travel Inspiration

Neak Pean or Neak Poan at Angkor, Cambodia is an artificial island with a Buddhist temple on a circular island in Preah Khan Baray built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. 389 It is the "Mebon" of the Preah Khan baray (the "Jayatataka" of the inscription).

Etymology of Neak Pean temple

Some historians believe that Neak Pean represents Anavatapta,174 a mythical lake in the Himalayas whose waters are thought to cure all illness.124–125 The name is derived from the sculptures of snakes (Nāga) running around the base of the temple structure, neak being the Khmer rendering of the Sanskrit naga. "They are Nanda and Upananda, two nagas traditionally associated with Lake Anavatapta."

History of Neak Pean Temple

Neak Pean was originally designed for medical purposes (the ancients believed that going into these pools would balance the elements in the bather, thus curing disease); it is one of the many hospitals that Jayavarman VII built. It is based on the ancient Hindu belief of balance. Four connected pools represent Water, Earth, Fire and Wind. Each is connected to the central water source, the main tank, by a stone conduit "presided over by one of Four Great Animals (maha ajaneya pasu) namely Elephant, Bull, Horse, and Lion, corresponding to the north, east, south, and west quarters....The stone conduits in the little pavilions are fashioned to represent the heads of the Four Great Animals...the only exception being that on the east, which represents a human head instead of a bull's." Originally, four sculptures stood on the floor of the lake. The only remaining statue is that of the horse Balaha, a form of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, saving sailors from the ogresses of Tamradvipa. The temple on the lake was originally dedicated to Avalokitesvara. Willetts believed that "this is Jayavarman as he would have wished to have appeared to his people"

Zhou Daguan refers to Neak Pean in his visit to Angkor in the late 13th century.

REQUEST FOR TOUR
 
 

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR BUS TICKETS, HERE YOU CAN BOOK IN ADVANCE

Popular Package Tours in Siem Reap

Siem Reap Golf Holiday Tour

from Siem Reap

4 DAYS 3 NIGHTS

Siem Reap Golf Holiday Tour

Joining Siem Reap Golf Holiday with Visit Cambodia Travel, you will enjoy a great memorable moment and experience the Cambodian golf ...

Sky Venture Microlight Siem Reap

from Siem Reap

30mins

Sky Venture Microlight Siem Reap

Sky Venture Microlight flights range from 15 min to one hour, and can include many temple complexes as well as the Tonle Sap. This type of small plane only holds a pilot and one guest, and offers a ...

Angkor Park Zipline & Quad Bike Adventure

from Siem Reap

Full-Day

Angkor Park Zipline & Quad Bike Adventure

Quad Adventure Cambodia come and get you at 7am to bring you to the Quad Adventure Cambodia headquarters. We’ll start a safety briefing and take a ride out to the countryside around Siem Reap. The ...

Angkor Wat Highlight Tour

from Siem Reap

3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS

Angkor Wat Highlight Tour

The construction of Ta Prohm began in 1186 AD and originally known as Rajavihara (Monastery of the King), Ta Prohm was a Buddhist temple dedicated to the mother of King Jayavarman VII and the Bayon ...

Angkor Cycling Tour

from Siem Reap

3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS

Angkor Cycling Tour

It’s the perfect way for getting around the temples. Taking your bike into the historical park isn’t a problem and you don’t have to pay anything for it. Those faces just rise out of every ...

Ox-Cart Riding Tour Through Villages in Countryside

from Siem Reap

Full-Day

Ox-Cart Riding Tour Through Villages in Countryside

Experience with an ox cart ride to visit the beauty of the surrounding landscape, along the way discovering rice-paddy field, seasonal farming methods, other daily activities of local people and ...

 

Book Hotels in Siem Reap with our Top Pick!

Siem Reap Pub Hostel

Siem Reap

The Tito Suite Residence

Siem Reap

Sleep Pod Hostel

Siem Reap

Mulberry Boutique Hotel

Siem Reap

Maison 557

Siem Reap

Central Suite Residence

Siem Reap

 

Recommended Cambodia Tour Themes

Couldn't find suitable trip for you? Let us help you!

Being the locals, we know the true value of our land. We always listen and arrange everything as your desire. Please kindly send us whatever about your trip,we will send you best offers quickly.

Flag Counter