Kompom Temple

Located on the north side of Kulen Mountain in Svay Leu District, it’s also known as Khlong Ka (or Khluń Kar), Ta Nhan, and Prasat Yoni. It is believed to be a 12th c temple although there is no inscription or even architectural decoration to help determine its era. It’s a single shrine, rectangular, built of laterite with a “library” and an outer wall. Basin in the east.

Photos – July 2023

Historical Notes

To the north-east of Kantuot, on the right bank of the Aur Dham, stands the very ruined laterite tower of Tā Buon; probable starting point of a causeway leading towards the East. Much further to the East and in the same landscape of open forests still frequented today by herds of deer, wild bovids and elephants, we find the prāsād Khluń Kar, of the same type as the previous one but much better preserved: its laterite sanctuary tower is built on a laterite base also; the only sandstone elements are the frame, the colonnettes and the lintel of the east door, all roughly erected and not carved; the other sides are closed by false laterite doors. In the south-east corner of the courtyard there is a laterite “library”, well preserved but without decoration.

The only entrance pavilion to the east is ruined, while the laterite surrounding wall is also in good condition. At the end of the 60s, this site served as a meeting place to elephants undertaking their great seasonal migrations.

Les sites archéologiques de la région du Bhnaṃ Gūlen, Jean Boulbert and Bruno Dagens, 1973

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..