Recently restored, Kraham Temple, or the Red Temple (due to the color of bricks used), was originally a group of three temples built in the 9th century and aligned north-south while opening to the east. Today only the southern temple remains to be seen, with the middle temple no longer seen and the northern temple reduced to just its very base.
You can see the beautifully molded brickwork around the base and upper level of the temple, its false doors on each side flanked by brick pilasters but the highlight is certainly the yoni inside the temple that fed water to drain leading outside to carved Makara as a spout for sacred water. The Makara is a sea creature in Hindu mythology and adopted into the Khmer pantheon.
If you look closely around the site you will see small fragments of the beautiful masonry carving that would have adorned the temple. Looking at photos from 1937 by EFEO a Makara ornament is also seen at the corner of the upper level. Lintels were also originally at the site and perhaps now in the National Museum. B/W Images property of EFEO via Fonds Cambodge
Sixty meters north there is the base of the north temple, also referred to as Kraham Temple II, where several sandstone remnants are seen including a piece of the original decorative door column, door frame, and doorstep.
Perhaps the most fascinating part of this temple is the stunning location with beautiful views and as the highest temple in the land overlooking the Kulen mountain plateau.
The site cannot be reached easily and only by moto/hike, perhaps adding to its charm.
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Map
Site Info
- Site Name: Krâhâm (Pr.) Khmer Name: បា្រសាទក្រហម
- Reference ID: HA11741 | Last Update: December 10th, 2021
- Other Names: Kraham Temple, ប្រាសាទក្រហម, Prasat Kraham
- Date/Era: 9th Century
- Tags/Group: 9th Century, b, Jayavarman II, Kulen, Phnom Kulen, pr, Temples
- Location: Siem Reap Province > Svay Leu District > Khnang Phnum Commune > Khla Khmum Village
- MoCFA ID: 458
- IK Number: 555
