Preah Palilay
The Buddhist temple of Preah Palilay (Angkor Thom, Cambodia) is an atmospheric small sandstone temple from the first half of the 12th century, perhaps only from the 13th to the 14th century.
Plant
Preah Palilay lies north of the " Royal Palace " and west of Tep Pranam in an idyllic woodland surroundings, ie, in the northwestern quarter of Angkor Thom. On a six -meter-high, three-stage, up to 2008 by several picturesque tree-filled base is an unusually steep Prasat: an almost chimney -shaped temple tower. The base of this tower is five to fifteen feet; four inputs with small porches open into the main points of the compass, four flights of stairs lead down.
The 50 to 50 m tall temple area is surrounded by a Lateritmauer, which has a three-port in the east gate tower of sandstone, a so-called Gopura. A 33 m long causeway leads from the gate tower directly to a 30 m long and 8 m wide, two-stage, cross-shaped terrace.
Architectural decoration
The architectural decoration of Preah Palilay is significant for two reasons: First, it corresponds in style and quality to the well-preserved complex of Angkor Wat, secondly exist here sculptures depicting scenes from the life of Buddha. The contradictory nature of these statements is hardly resolvable: Stylistic parallels to Angkor Wat can be an emergence in the early 12th century suspect; the Buddhist theme has a genesis in the reign of Jayavarman VII toward (about 1181-1220 ); in the reign of Jayavarman VIII, however, Buddhist sculptures were usually destroyed or umgemeißelt (about 1243-1295 ). The dating of the temple is therefore problematic.
The terrace is well preserved and shows very harmonious Naga balustrades - seven-headed, crowned serpent beings. In the pediments of the gate tower are delightful reliefs on the outside of the right such as a Buddha, (hence the name of the temple ) preaches in the forest of Parilyyaka the animals, and a Buddha, which soothes the elephant Nalagiri, on the inside center a Buddha who blesses children. The temple tower was made well, unlike comparable buildings in Angkorgebiet, a now crashed Siding; the relief radicals are of great beauty. Among the ruins of the tower interior parts of two statues are visible, perhaps Buddha statues, at least revered by believers today.