Baksei Chamkrong ប្រាសាទបក្សីចាំក្រុង, Angkor

Baksei Chamkrong (26 February, 2006)


Baksei Chamkrong ប្រាសាទបក្សីចាំក្រុង (GPS: 13.42504, 103.85811) is an ancient Angkor monument located just north of Phnom Bakheng, a short distance between Angkor Wat and the South Gate of Angkor Thom. The name Baksei Chamkrong means "the bird who shelters under its wings." It was built around the middle of 10th Century (947). The monument was begun by King Harshavarman I, who reigned from AD 910 to AD 944, and was completed by King Rajendravarman II, who reigned from AD 944 to AD 968.

I visited this temple while South Gate of Angkor Thom. The name Baksei Chamkrong comes from a legend. In it, the king was trying to flee Angkor when it was under siege. Suddenly a huge bird swooped down and sheltered the king under its wings. However, as I further researched, I learned that there is really no connection between the above story and the construction of this temple.

Virtual tour of Baksei Chamkrong.

Baksei Chamkrong is in the centre of the Map of Angkor

This is one of the first temples to be constructed of durable material such as bricks and laterite, and with decorations in sandstone. It consists of a single tower on a square 27 sq meter base. On this is a four-tiered pyramid that rises to a height of 12 metres. At the top is a brick sanctuary tower that faces the east. On its door frame are inscriptions praising early Khmer kings such as Jayavarman II. The inscriptions are unique for its content, for so many Khmer kings were mentioned. The lintels, which are in poor condition, shows Indra on a three-headed elephant, Airavata (by the way, I believe Airavata is the Khmer equivalent to the elephant Erawan, in Thailand).

Entrance to the prasat at the top of Baksei Chamkrong (26 February, 2006)


Originally, there was a brick enclosure with a stone gopura on the east side of Baksei Chamkrong, that is, facing the main road, but that is gone now. Most of the stucco that once adorned this temple is also gone now.

How to reach Baksei Chamkrong

Baksei Chamkrong is on your left, as you approach South Gate of Angkor Thom from Phnom Bakheng. You can't miss it. If you're travelling by tuk tuk, ask your tuk tuk driver to point it out to you. If he doesn't know, show him the map, or get a different tuk tuk driver! If you wish to climb up Baksei Chamkrong, beware that the steps are very steep - those on the north side is the easiest to climb.

Baksei Chamkrong, as seen from the front (26 February, 2006)


Baksei Chamkrong, as seen from the top, looking downwards to my wife waiting below (26 February, 2006)


Inside Baksei Chamkrong is a reclining Buddha, probably added at a later period (26 February, 2006)


View of the surroundings from the top of Baksei Chamkrong (26 February, 2006)


One of the false doors of Baksei Chamkrong (26 February, 2006)


Details on the lintel of Baksei Chamkrong (26 February, 2006)

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