Ta Nei Temple

Located in Angkor Archeological Park, Siem Reap, Ta Nei is a late 12th-century sandstone temple attributed to the Buddhist king, Jayavarman VII. Highlights of the site are its several impressive pediments, devata bas-reliefs, and its peaceful charm in a secluded location away from the crowds.

Layout

The site is constructed on an east-west axis and whilst today the site is entered from the west, its traditional main entrance is to the east.

On the eastern side, the site begins with an outer or third enclosure that was lost to time or never completed and a gopura (entrance pavilion), restored in recent times, that leads to a causeway and large cruciform terrace.

The cruciform terrace leads to the second enclosure featuring gopura at each cardinal point and on the eastern side, two small entrances flank either side of the grand gopura which itself offers three entrances also lending itself to form the east wall of the inner galleried enclosure.

Inside the inner or first enclosure, a cruciform vestibule, to the south, a common structure seen at many sites noted as being a library, opening to the west as they do, and at the western end, the central sanctuary. The central sanctuary, also cruciform in shape, features an antechamber connecting it to the inner gallery.

On the western side of the site, there is another small gopura that was joined to the outer enclosure with a laterite path. Also, flanking on either side of the second enclosure are long basins.

Lintels & Pediments

In the western gopura, two beautiful lintels rest on the floor, while several pediments depicting Buddhist narratives can be seen on the pediments inside the inner enclosure. On the recently restored outer eastern gopura also retains some beautiful pediments.

Historical Images – property of EFEO, more at Fonds Cambodge

Discoveries made at the site include an impressive array of Dvarapala (guardians), Avalokiteshvara, and female figures.

Inscriptions

• K. 284 – a series of shorts inscriptions recorded from the door jambs introducing deities – Cœdès 1928, p. 109 ; Cœdès 1951, p. 105-107