Ta Keo Temple

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The majestic ziggurat of Ta Keo, most enigmatic of the minor fanes, stepping up toward the sun with dignity and power suggestive of Angkor vat. It is dripping with green and crowned with trees, but is still supreme over the ...

OVERVIEW

Towering but plainly decorated temple-mountain dedicated to Shiva. Known in its time as ‘the mountain with golden peaks.’ The first to be constructed wholly of sandstone, this temple employs huge sandstone blocks. Constructed under three kings, begun by Jayavarman V as his state-temple and continued under Jayaviravarman and Suryavarman I. When Jayavarman V first constructed Ta Keo, he part ways with previous kings, placing his state temple outside of the capital area. Construction seems to have stopped particularly early in the decoration phase as evidenced by the lack of carvings. Ta Keo is well worth a visit, but if you are pressed for time, see Pre Rup instead

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One of the tallest monuments of Angkor, the Ta Keo is a mountain temple build by Jayavarman V, found a little East of Angkor Thom.

Its five sanctuaries are placed on top of a 22 meter high five stepped pyramid, from where there are good views of the surrounding area. The pyramid shaped Ta Keo was build to represent Mount Meru, the mountain that is the center of the world in Hindu mythology.

Its rocky masses, rising above the tops of the coconut palms, convert the impression that it only recently emerged from some cavern underground, carrying the forest with it in its rocketing ascent.

Ta Keo's lack of ornament makes it distinctive among the works of the Khmer, who were so prodigal of decoration. But its very simplicity give it architectural importance, its plan shows the development of anew spirit in the people, the growth of good taste.

Ta Keo is locate in the east of Thommanon and ChauSay Tevoda. A enter and leave by the south or east entrances.

Tip: The ascent to this temple is step and because of its orientation a visit in the morning is preferable.
It was built in the end of the tenth century to early 11th century by the King Jayavarman V to Suryavarman I dedicated to Siva (Hindu), replica to Kleang style of art.

History of Ta Keo Temple

Jayavarman V was ten years old when he succeeded his father, Rajendravarman, in 968. His early years of reign were rather turbulent and the court officials dominated the royal politics. When he was aged seventeen (in 975), he began the construction of his own state temple, whose modern name is Ta Keo, that was dedicated some time around 1000. In contemporary inscriptions it is called Hemagiri or Hemasringagiri ("the mountain with golden summits").[8] It remained unfinished until the reign of Suryavarman I. Yogisvarapandita, a high priest who became minister of Suryavarman I and "received" the temple from him many years later, says in inscriptions that a lightning strike hit the unfinished building, an evil omen, so the works stopped. Maybe works stopped simply because of the death of Jayavarman V, as there was a struggle for succession. Actually the temple worked continuously as a cult center until the 13th century,[10] and even Yogisvarapandita worshipped the shrines at the first levels of the temple.

A term tightly linked to Hemasringagiri is Jayendranagari (which in Sanskrit means "capital of the victorious king"), the royal palace or maybe the new capital city of Jayavarman V. However the remains of this large hypothesized ensemble are very scarce. Today only a tower in the south-west survives, similar to the corner towers of Ta Keo, with an unusual single door to the south

BACKGROUND

An unusual aspect of this temple is that it remains unfinished; the reason for its no completion is unknown. Had it been finished, Ta Keo would undoubtedly have been one of the finest temples at Angkor. It is an imposing sight, scaling 22 meters (72feet) to the sky, and gives an impression of power.

Ta Keo is the first temple built entirely in sandstone and as such serves as a milestone in Khmer history. Enormous blocks of stone were cut to a regular size and placed in position. The absence of decoration at ta Keo gives it a simplicity of design that separates it from the other monuments.

LAYOUT

Ta Keo is square in Plan with five towers arranged like the dots on the face of a die and stands majestically on a terrace that is 12 meters (39 feet) high with three tiers. It is a representation of Mount Meru. The base has fine molding. The temple has two enclosures (1 and 2) with entry towers on each side.

There are inscription on the pilasters of the east entry tower. The first two tiers of the platform form the base of two courtyards. One is enclosed by a wall the other by a gallery, the gallery is too narrow to permit walking around.

The east entrance to Ta Keo is marked by a causeway over a moat that is preceded by lions and boundary stones (not shown on the plan ). The entry tower in the exterior wall was made of sandstone with a central tower and three passages. On each side of the east wall there was a long hall that was probably a shelter for pilgrims. It was preceded by a porch with pillars.

The second terrace has a molded laterite base with four sandstone entry towers, one on each side. It is surrounded by a sandstone gallery lit by windows on the in terrier. The gallery completely surrounds the terrace and has openings on each of the four sides. On the east there are two long halls of the same type as the rest halls on the first terrace. Two libraries open to the west.

CENTRAL AREA

The upper level is square and stands on a tiered base with stairways on each side> Most of the space on the upper level is occupied by the five tower, all unfinished, opening to the four cardinal points. The Central Sanctuary dominates the layout. It is raised above the other towers and is given further importance by the development of porches and pediments. The interior of the central tower is undecorated

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