Linga Temple 2

Also recorded as Prasat Balang. A square sandstone temple with a large pedestal and massive linga. The square shrine shares its layout, and likely also its purpose, with 3 more together aligned on a north-south axis whilst having a relationship with the east-west axis of Prasat Thom.

None of these gigantic linga shrines have roofs, perhaps unfinished, or made from perishable materials and lost to time. They all feature a sandstone base with steps on each side leading to false doors on the east, north, and south and the open doorway on the western side. In places, you can still see finely carved decoration around this base whilst the sandstone walls remain featureless.

Inside this shrine, fragments of the linga pedestal remain to support the perfectly shaped linga. Water would have once been poured over the linga, pooling on the pedestal, and flowing out its spout that can still be seen exiting from the north outer wall.

Photos from the 2021 tour

Rodney Charles LHuillier

Living in Asia for over a decade and now residing in beautiful Siem Reap. Rodney Charles L'Huillier has spent over seven years in Cambodia and is the author of Ancient Cambodia (2024) and Essential Siem Reap (2017, 2019). Contact via [email protected] - more..