Ever wondered about the ancient Khmer Empire’s second capital? That’s Phum Roluos. It lies 13 kilometers east of Siem Reap. Phum Roluos was once known as Hariharalaya. This area holds the remains of an early Khmer capital.
Let’s step back to the late 9th century. King Jayavarman II moved the capital here. He shifted it from Mahendraparvata. Mahendraparvata was on Phnom Kulen’s slopes. Imagine a city as populated as modern Phnom Penh. That was Mahendraparvata.
The temples at Phum Roluos mark a significant period. They show the beginning of Khmer classical art. Some structures used bricks. Others used laterite or sandstone. Ta Keo was the first large sandstone temple.
Phum Roluos features several key temples. These include Bakong, Lolei and Preah Ko. Also, there is the smaller Prasat Prei Monti. Today, Bakong and Lolei host Theravada Buddhist monasteries.
Jayavarman II built these monuments. He dedicated them to both Shiva and Vishnu. Together they are known as Hari-Hara. Indravarman I later moved the capital. It shifted to Bakheng in 905.
The Roluos Group temples each have unique traits. Bakong is the most impressive. It is a five-level temple mountain. A central tower rises 15 meters high. It was Hariharalaya’s state temple. The French reconstructed it between 1937 and 1945 after a collapse.
Preah Ko features statues of bulls. Its name means sacred bull. Six towers display preserved carvings. Small active shrines sit inside each tower.
Lolei is an island temple. A man-made reservoir once surrounded it. The Khmer call this reservoir a baray. Now, the reservoir is dry. Four crumbling towers mark the site. Yasovarman I built this temple. It was his last before moving the capital to Angkor.
Prasat Prei Monti consists of three brick towers. They lie two kilometers south of Bakong. These towers are on a single platform. They are sturdier than later towers. Sandstone doors face east. Blind doors face the other directions.
Visiting Phum Roluos offers a unique experience. The temples are less crowded than those near Angkor Wat. This allows for a more peaceful exploration. You can witness the early architecture of the Khmer empire. Remember to buy your temple pass beforehand. Passes are required to visit these monuments.
Phum Roluos shows the dawn of the Angkor era. Imagine the bustling capital. Picture the devotion to Hindu gods. Consider the architectural innovations. Phum Roluos connects you to Cambodia’s rich past.