Kdei Ta Kom Thom (Phnea Kol Temple)

Also known as Kol Temple, Prasat Kdei Ta Kom Thom is a fascinating and extremely ruinous site that from even a quick glance, one can tell that this would have been perhaps one of the most beautiful sites in Angkor, alongside the ranks of Banteay Srei albeit much smaller. It’s recorded as dating to the 11th century under the reign of king Udayadityavarman II (reign 1050 to 1066 A.D).

Photos & Visit August 2024

The site has been cleared revealing a little more of this once very special site which is confirmed by the high level of workmanship in the fragments of architectural decoration. The site now has signposts at the intersection with the main road and a new signboard providing info on the site.

Photos & Visit June 2021

The original configuration is not clear through the mass of ruin and overgrowth, but it can be assumed to have had an outer wall, entry gopura to the east (in ruin and overgrown – 06/21) connecting to an elevated causeway leading to another gopura (? – and another enclosure?) which was flanked by two other towers (heavily overgrown – 06/21), entering through to library buildings (only one standing), a central shrine that has completely fallen with only an overgrown basement remaining, and exiting via a long western gopura.

What remains that can be seen are incredibly ornate, of high quality, and carved into rich red sandstone. Water would have also been a big feature of this site by all appearances.

On the eastern entrance, there was also a bollarded entranceway that led to remnants of another structure about 200m further along. A little further east again is and to the south of this east-west axis is Kdei Ta Kom (or Rong Damrei Temple).

There are several ancient bridges and temple sites in the area see Kdei Ta Kom group and 8 km directly north is Preah Phnom Temple.

Historical Notes

Inscriptions

Inscriptions, dating to 1060 and 1064 AD, note the provisions in exchange for allocation of land, and, land that was previously allocated in the era of Jayavarman II.

  • K. 246 – 1 line Khmer – IC III, p. 85
  • K. 247 – 4 lines Khmer – IC III, p. 94
  • K. 248 – 19 lines Khmer – IC III, p. 94

Map

*Important: mapped location may only be approximated to the district level/village only. To visit sites outside the tourist zones you should seek a local guide from the area read more.

Site Info

Historical Inventories of Kdei Ta Kom Thom (Pr.)

  • 1901, E. Aymonier, Le Cambodge, Tome II, pg. 373 (Site Name: Bantéai Ta Keam Region: l,Ouest Siem Reap)
  • 1911, E. Lunet de Lajonquière, Inventaire descriptif des monuments du Cambodge, Tome III, pg. 328 (IK #: 682 Site Name: Prasat Ta Kom Thom Region: Srok Kralanh, Khet Siemreap)
  • 1926, Liste des Monuments Historiques, #: 550 Site: Pr. Ta Ko'm Thom. - Temple with galleries bearing inscriptions. Region: Siemréap
  • 1927, H. Parmentier, L'art khmèr primitif, pg. 138 (Site Name: Kdei Ta Kam)

Kdei Ta Kom Thom (Pr.) Inscription References

  • K. 246 - Lines: 1 Script: Khmer Date (Saka): 986 Ref: 1951, Coedes, Inscriptions du Cambodge, Volume 3, p. 85 ; Cœdès1951, p. 117
  • K. 247 - Lines: 4 Script: Khmer Date (Saka): 982 Ref: 1951, Coedes, Inscriptions du Cambodge, Volume 3, p. 94
  • K. 248 - Section: S Lines: 19 Script: Khmer Date (Saka): xe Ref: 1951, Coedes, Inscriptions du Cambodge, Volume 3, p. 94
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..

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