- Area: Siem Reap Province > Krong Siem Reab > Sangkat Nokor Thum
- | Type: Ancient Remains & Temples
Kor Sak Temple, or Preah Pithu T, is located in Angkor Thom and is one of the five temples that make up what is known as Preah Pithu Group which are located to the northeast of the ancient Royal Palace.
The ancient temple was originally dedicated to Vishnu, opening to the west with a large elevated cruciform terrace featuring a naga balustrade. The terrace led to a gopura (entrance) through the outer wall to the central pyramid-style shrine. It also has a gopura in the east which leads to Preah Pithu U (Chorm Temple). It also has lesser entrances on the north and south.
The stepped pyramid/”temple-mountain” features a staircase on each side that leads up to the main shrine that features bas-reliefs of devata/Apsara on the outer walls, two on each side, that are a little unique. The artwork on the pilasters surrounding the Apsara is also interesting, also, take note of the ornate round door columns and the large lintel resting by the entrance depicting a female figure as the central idol sitting atop a naga serpent being in a tug of war, akin to the myth of the Churning of the Sea of Milk.
It is dated to the early 12th Century yet, researchers also note the reuse of sandstone blocks from 11th and 13th-century sites that can be seen inside the walled area surrounding the temple. It’s worth strolling around here to peruse some of the amazing lintels and artwork.
Originally, it was completely surrounded by a moat and accessed only the western terrace/elevated causeway, the site was technically an island, shared with Chorm temple located directly to its east. This western terrace is also extremely ornate featuring decorated columns and a naga balustrade.
Perhaps the most fascinating discovery at Kor Sak is an ornate linga that now resides in the Phnom Penh Museum under ka 1687 and carries an inscription registered under K. 544. French notes from 1918 (BEFEO Chronique) record
Three lingas have been found in these works, and one is of a peculiar character, measuring 26cm high and 15cm in diameter. The actual linga is 16cm high, it is decorated with four arcades containing various figures whose names are engraved below each of them. They are: Shiva and her Sakti on Nandi, under the title of Vrah Paramecvara, Vishnu on Garuda, Vrah Vishnu, Brahma on Hamsa, Vrah Vrahma, and finally Vrah Vaisravana (Kubera?) seated in the Javanese style on a lotus flower of unusual shape. The rest of the stone forms a pedestal: it is an octagonal prism with seven faces carrying a praying ascetic, and under the one placed below Shiva we read: Saptarsi, the seven rsi. The eighth side is occupied by a female figure holding a lotus bud, under which is engraved the name of Vrah Dharani.
Inscriptions
- K. 544 – On a linga (ka 1687, PPNM)
- K. 545 – On a pedestal – one line of Khmer text
Map
Site Info
- Site Name: Preah Pithu, tour T Khmer Name: ព្រះពិធូរ (ប៉ម តេ)
- Reference ID: HA11665 | Posted: January 20, 2021 | Last Update: September 28th, 2022
- Other Names: Kor Sak Temple, Preah Pithu T, ព្រះពិធូ
- Date/Era: 12th Century
- Tags/Group: 12th Century, 13th Century, Angkor, Angkor Small Circuit, Angkor Thom, Map: Angkor's Top 30 Temples & Ancient Sites, Map: Top 100 Temples & Ancient Sites (Siem Reap), Preah Pithu Temple Group, Temples
- Location: Siem Reap Province > Krong Siem Reab > Sangkat Nokor Thum
- MoCFA ID: 381
- IK Number: 481
- Inscription Number/s: K. 544, 545
