East Baray & Terrace

The East Baray (Yasodharatataka) is a vast basin 2 x 7 km that now sits dry. Built in the early 10th century during the reign of King Yasovarman, although a little smaller than the later West Baray, it is believed to have held a staggering 50 million cubic meters of water with a depth of 3 m.

At its four corners, it featured stele shelters (NE/SE/SW/NW), at its center the East Mebon Temple, and on its western bank a large laterite terrace. It is interesting to note the East Mebon Temple (late 10th c) and the East Baray Terrace (unknown date) are on the same E-W axis as the Victory Gate and Royal Palace of Angkor Thom (12th-13th c) and in particular Phimeanakas (early 11th c).

The East Baray Terrace/Pier

The terrace on the western bank of the East Baray is a large sandstone structure on a laterite base, cruciform in its layout, with steps that would have led down to the water. It features ornate stonework and also featured beautiful lions mounted on the steps at the water’s edge, one can still be seen at the site albeit missing his head. Only the feet and base of the other lion remain. The base of a small Buddha on Naga statue can also be seen along with a statue pedestal.

It appears to have had a wall, or at least there are further remnants only meters to the west, and even further west through bush scrub there is more laterite and remnants seen as the area begins to join with the Angkor Zipline area.

The East Baray

The East Baray is formed from an earthen embankment and on its eastern side you can still see a large laterite structure, Krol Romeas, that formed the outlet or inlet depending on the time of year. On the western side, there is another outlet that is suggested to supply water to Ta Prohm and onwards to Angkor Thom.

The function of Angkor’s barays’ and the hydraulic network is a topic of much interest and study, if that’s interesting I suggest reading Hydraulic Engineering at Angkor by Damian Evans.

It’s completely dry most of the time although it does have a very small recently built outlet near to Ta Prohm so it must collect water in one small area at least perhaps used by local farmers. You can still see the embankment in places. It also has many trails leading through it that are only used by locals who live and work the land in the area as pictured below.

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..