Also known as Prasat Asram Moha Russei and Tower N17 of the Sambor Prei Kuk group, it is one of the first sights for visitors as they enter the area. It is a small “cell” shrine, open to the east, around 3 m in height and width. It’s made of sandstone featuring ornate pilasters/pillars also working as supports for the thin slabs of sandstone that make the walls and the roof slab.
The roof features a row of niches inset with the faces of a male figure, a styling element called gavaksha or kudu in Indian texts that act as a “sun window” for the deity of the temple to look out upon the world. The kudu is a widely used styling element across 7-8th century temples seen elsewhere in Sambor Prei Kuk and Kampong Thom and Kampong Chhnang. Around the base, also beautifully decorated, and features further niches with a seated character.
Researchers note that it may have originally been surrounded by an outer construction. While the temple seems unusual, similar temples can be found at Hanchey, Phnom Da, Trapeang Kuk, etc. Whilst the site is located meters north of Prasat Sambor and separated by the modern-day road, it technically is part of that group sitting inside a third outer enclosure of which only traces remain.
In 2022/23 the site underwent restoration in a special collaboration between the Sambor Prei Kuk National Authority and the government of India, and, peering over the fence, they have done a superb job by the looks.
Images from the 2022 tour, prior to the recent restoration
Historical Notes
L’Art Khmer Primitif, Henri Parmentier, 1927
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Map
Site Info
- Site Name: Asram Moha Russei (Pr.) Khmer Name: បា្រសាទអាស្រមមហាឫស្សី
- Reference ID: HA13549 | Last Update: August 9th, 2023
- Other Names: Sambor Prei Kuk N17, Asram Eisei Temple, ប្រាសាទ អាស្រមឥសី
- Tags/Group: 7th century, pr, ra, Sambor Prei Kuk, T4, Temples
- Location: Kampong Thom Province > Prasat Sambour District > Sambour Commune > Sambour Village
- MoCFA ID: 3503
