Kansaeng Temple

Prasat Kansaeng, or Kuk Top Thom, is located inside the moat and in the southwest quadrant of Beng Mealea Temple’s large grounds. It is what’s known as a “firehouse” or “Vahnigriha” that was a feature along the East Road. Outside of those in Angkor, it is the first standing firehouse as we head east out along the East Road of the ancient royal road network. They are associated with the reign of Jayavarman VII by art style and by inscription and added to the existing Beng Mealea, which was established in the prior reign of either Tribhuvanadityavarman or Suryavarman II, or both.

You can find it just south of the causeway that leads to Beng Mealea’s main temple area after entering from the western entrance. You can still see large devata carvings, roundels, and a narrative pediment with a lintel below. See more Firehouses here, or continue reading more about Beng Mealea Temple.

Photos 2024

Photos 2021

Historical Notes

The site was first documented by Etienne Lajonquiere in the early 1900s

Kuk Top Thom. This building is included in the large enclosure of Beng Mealea. It is made up of a rectangular room preceded by a first room which itself opens into a vestibule (fig. 157). Both are vaulted, the last two in the system of false side naves which only appear on the exterior.

The rooms are lit to the S. by bays with bolusters, the same bays are repeated to the N., but are false, and half hidden under a blind. The upper vault was finished with a crest with figures in flamed niches. Sculpture is rare in this small monument; it is generally crude and stands out compared to the rest of the buildings of Beng Mealea. The pediment of the W. door and the pediment of the N. false door represent scenes of adoration: a standing figure is surrounded by kneeling figures. Tevadas in niches are found between the windows and on the pilasters in the corners of the tower. The decorative finteau (modified type III) of the S. door of this tower presents a series of parallel foliage motifs; the base is occupied by a regular alternating scroll, surrounding small seated hermits. We see in this building a curious example of deplorable Khmer construction. One entire face of the tower overlooks a corbelled are, the two parts of which are entirely independent of each other due to their poor construction. So the load pushed the system and made it fall towards the center while the walls moved apart. This example seems to provide the reason for the fall of a large number of the walls of these monuments whose design, if well executed, would nevertheless seem to offer every chance of security, Monument of the Teap Chei type).

Inventaire descriptif des monuments du Cambodge, E. Lunet de Lajonquière, 1902

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..