Baksei Chamkrong
The Baksei Chamkrong (Khmer: ប្រាសាទបក្សីចាំក្រុង to German " bird with protective wings " ), a small, built in the 10th century Shiva temple is sacred pyramid sides of the road from Angkor Wat to Angkor Thom.
History and location
In memory of his father Yasovarman I ( reign 889 to about 915) and to his mother the Angkorkönig Harshavarman was I. (reigned about 915-923 ) to build an ancestral temple, the Baksei Chamkrong.
In the plane of a wall of earth framed with the moat I. Yasovarman built on a hill state temple Phnom Bakheng. The framed area was a west east mounted rectangle of 650 x 440 m in size. The northeastern corner of the area selected for the Harshavarman I. Baksei Chamkrong. Under Jayavarman IV (reigned 928-941 ) and Harshavarman II ( 941-944 ), the capital of the Khmer empire was temporarily about 100 km northeast of Angkor in Koh Ker. The successor and cousin of Harshavarman II, Rajendravarman II (reigned 944-968 ), again resided in the central Angkorgebiet; the not quite finished Baksei Chamkrong he had directed, cover with stucco decoration and the inscription on Wednesday, February 23, 948 at 9 clock 40 dedicate to the god Shiva.
Incurred, together with the beginning of the 12th century temple of Angkor Wat and the beginning of the 13th century city of Angkor Thom resulting fragmentation poses the following image: A road leads straight from south to north; the right of this road is the main entrance of Angkor Wat, after 1200 m to the left of the main entrance to Phnom Bakheng, 150 m farther to the left of the Baksei Chamkrong; 300 m down the road passes the South Gate of Angkor Thom, and is the main axis of the city system.
Some Hindu traditions situate Mount Kailasa, which is considered as a sanctuary of Shiva, in the northwest of the mythical Mount Meru. The location of the ancestral temple dedicated to Shiva in the northwest of Phnom Bakheng Temple Mount could point to a corresponding meaning.
Architecture
According Zieger can be on Baksei Chamkrong " the elements of the pyramid temple conveniently overlook ":
- A four-level pyramid with four stairways of the main points of the compass,
- On a Prasat (temple tower) with four identical facades, access to the east side, false doors in the other three sides consisting of Cella (temple interior ) and four attics.
The Khmer builders used laterite For the first time the three lower levels of the pyramid. The top pyramid level consists of profiled sandstone, the Prasat has a sandstone base and is made of brick. At the base of the pyramid is 27 × 27 m, above 15 × 15 m; this upper platform is 13 m above the surrounding area. Massive walls flank the steep stairs and deny access to the terrace paragraphs. With its dramatic increase in Baksei Chamkrong surpassed all his predecessors and influenced all Nachfolgebauten.
Originally, there were golden statues of Shiva and his wife Devi in the cella. In sandstone and brick of Prasat some beautiful and well-preserved reliefs were designed; in the brick incised Devata ( goddess ) at the corners of Prasat were probably preliminary drawings for the long-vanished plasterwork. .
Inscription
The eastern door frame bears an important inscription. This was in the year 947 on behalf of Rajendravarman II ( 944-968 ) attached. The occasion was the establishment of a golden statue of Shiva (probably was the dedication of the temple at the same time ). The Sanskrit inscription consists of 48 verses. First, there is a praise of various gods. Then, various foundation of Rajendravarman II are enumerated. Even foundations of predecessors (including by Indravarman I. ) are listed. The Hermit Kambu Swayambhuva and the Apsara Mera are mentioned; the first time the mythical pair Kambu and Mera is mentioned by name ( ancestors of kambujanischen nation ) in a Cambodian inscription. Rajendravarman II boasts of his ancestry, which he attributes one hand on Srutavarman ( Solares gender) and Rudravarman of Funan ( Lunar race ).