Neang Kangrei Temple

Also known as Prasat Neang Kong Rey. Mostly fallen remains of a central brick temple with four annex buildings, an outer enclosure wall with an entrance gopura, and basins in the northeast (according to records). The site retains a large number of remnants including decorated door columns, pedestals, and base molding pieces. The site is believed to date to the 10th Century possibly sharing some styled elements with Banteay Srei (Cunin 2017).

There is a large crater at the front of the site which locals say was a remnant of war times. There are also spectacular views down onto the plains below and across to the Dangrek mountain range in the distance. The site also features several older vihara, one with contemporary Buddha statues, another with a Nandi-like rock formation, and a new vihara under construction (12/2022).

Layout

As mentioned earlier, the site featured an outer enclosure, formed in brick, with an entrance gopura on the eastern side (roughly where we see a crater today). Inside, a central tower that is lost to time and currently a small shelter housing remnants as seen in the pictures above. Surrounding that are four satellite buildings including two long halls that open to the west and the three others opening to the central court (based on Glaize’s map in Journal de Fouilles N°XIV) traces of which are still standing.

Rodney Charles LHuillier

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