Prei Prasat

A late 9th-century “Yasodharacrama“, or “Hermitage of Yasovarman”, this one dedicated to Shivaism. During the reign of King Yasovarman, several acrama (asrama, ashram, ashrama) for the study of various religious sects were built. The stele carrying the inscription registered under K.279 was revealed by Aymonier in the 18th c and the laterite structure by Trouve in the 19th c who also identified the other nearby ashrams, Komnap (Vaishnavism) and Ong Mong (Buddhism).

Today at the site the laterite base structure can still be seen along with partially upstanding walls. The elongated structure is roughly 5m wide and 20m long although it has scattered remnants extending lengthwise at either end and what appears as structures extending from the north and south side (or collapsed remnants of the wall). On the eastern side are what looks like the remains of the stele shelter.

As far as ancient Khmer architecture goes, these acramas have a very unique construction style. While the remains we see today at Prei Prasat occupy a small area, the activity of the acrama may have functioned over a much larger area. Hopefully, the release of the long-running study by Yaçodharâçrama Research Programme/APSARA will reveal more.

To the east lies a basin and the site was reported to originally have featured a moat with a causeway on the east side leading to the basin. Today the site is surrounded by plantation and rice fields which make for an incredible scene come the lush green mid-rainy season.

On the southern side of the structure, there is an open excavation that reveals the design of the base structure as seen below.

Below, standing almost at the western end looking east.

Historical Photos and Layout (Trouve – 1932 – EFEO/Persee)

Rodney Charles LHuillier

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