Kuk Pring Chrom Temple

Also recorded as Prasat Kouk Pring Chroum and Kuk Prin Crum, it is a small walled site, once surrounded by a moat and featuring a large reservoir on its eastern side. The outer wall is around 30 m x 30 m with the remains of an entrance gopura on the east leading to a single brick temple that is partially standing built upon a square laterite base. The temple opens to the east featuring false doors flanked by pilasters set into the brickwork.

The sandstone doorframe carries an inscription on each side and is registered under K. 92. As noted by George Coedes, it features 38 lines on the south side and 26 on the north side; entirely in Sanskrit. The five invocation stanzas are addressed to Shiva, Devi, Vishņu, and Brahma. The eulogy of the reigning king, Suryavarman I, occupies the following three stanzas. The author of the inscription, Deva Shri Parakramaviravarman, was the great-grandson of a certain Padma, who had been an advisor and brother-in-law of King Parameshvara, i.e. Jayavarman II, and descendant from a noble family of Aninditapura. Parakramaviravarman was general of Suryavarman I, and in charge of the government of the southern provinces. Having succeeded in ridding the king of one of his adversaries named Arjuna, he received the property of the latter as a reward. In 1028 AD he erected in the land of Vrai Vyak, which had been given to him by the king (perhaps as part of Arjuna’s property), a linga of which the text says he was a co-participant (miçrabhoga) with Sri Ishanatirtheshvara. Read more in INSCRIPTIONS DU CAMBODGE Volume V under Kuk Prin Crum.

Rodney Charles LHuillier

Living in Asia for over a decade and now residing in beautiful Siem Reap - Contact via [email protected] - more..