Mangalartha

Mangalartha was the last building began in Angkor. It is only preserved as a ruin and is located south of the road leading to the Victory Gate at Angkor Thom.

Mangalartha was built in 1295 under the reign of Jayavarman VIII in the Bayon style. It consists of a small sanctuary, which stands on a broad foundation. It is dedicated to the Brahmins and scholars Jayamangalartha. To spread the sanctuary are several pediments, representing the resting Vishnu and a myth from the Puranas among others. According to this tradition Vishnu measures in its fifth incarnation as Vamana midget using three steps all the three worlds and so outwitted the demon king Bali.

The French architect Henri Marchal, who explored on behalf of the École française d' Extrême -Orient ( EFEO ) Angkor and the structures preserved, freed in 1924 Mangalartha of the vegetation and led to initial conservation work.