Neak Ta Temple (Phnom Kulen)

Located south of Anlong Thom village atop Phnom Kulen south of Prasat Anlong Thom and north of Prasat Chrei and Bos Neak. All are along the same trail, on a north-south axis and all, unusually, open to the west.

The tall square brick temple is mostly standing at least on three sides. Even in its ruinous state, it is fascinating, allowing a cutaway section view of a brick temple structure. Inside, it features a multi-piece sandstone pedestal with a spout that is orientated to the north. You can also still see the colonettes of the false door on one side, in this case, formed in the brick. Moreover, the exterior walls are decorated with embossed “flying palaces”, the only temple still standing atop Kulen to have such. The “flying palaces” are not as elaborate as those seen at Sambour Prei Kuk while having a similar outline to those seen at Ampil Rolom temple for example.

Photos 2024

Photos 2021

Historical Images

Via EFEO Fonds Cambodge dated to around 1937/8

Lintel – Le style du Kulên, Stern, 1938

Historical Notes

The site was first documented by Jaques Lagiquet in 1936. Excavations at that time uncovered a lintel at Prasat Neak Ta that includes a garuda, a motif not seen on other Kulen-style lintels. The lintel also includes lions that are emerging from the mouths of makara, a motif seen on the lintel at Prasat Kaki. In their observations during this time, Phillipe Stern and Pierre Dupont both spoke to the similarities with the Cham temple, Hoa Lai whilst the temple is typical of the Kulen style.

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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

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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