Prasat Phnom Wam, built between the 9th and 11th century, is the fifth largest Khmer Hindu temple in Thailand.
Prasat Phnom Wan is similar to, though much smaller than, Prasat Phimai, 40 kilometres to the north-east.
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- Prasat Phnom Wan fron the north-west.
The structure is (just slightly off) oriented. The majority of Khmer temples face East or close to it.
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- Prasat Phnom Wan faces very nearly East.
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- Sandstone block remains of a structure outside the western wall.
Replacement Stonework
The Department of Fine Arts used a distinctively paler sandstone to deliberately highlight the extensive restoration work at Prasat Phnom Wan.
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- Inside eastern wall. Replacement blocks are distinctive. Brick base remains of hospital wth two sandstone columns still standing.
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- The colonnades and tranverse lintels have been replaced by lighter coloured sandstone deliberately selected to highlight the refurbishment.
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- Vertical columns and a form of entablature have been replaced on the northern end of the east wall by lighter coloured sandstone.
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- The southern end of the east wall didn’t need replacement blocks. Note the false door.
Enclosures
Distinctive and reasonably well preserved/refurbished Enclosures surround the temple on four sides.
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- Enclosure made of sandstone with roof still inttact.
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- Roofless enclosure made of bricks.
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- Enclosure with replacement and original sandstone blocks.
Gopuras
The gopuras (doorways) are located mid-way along the perimeter walls rather than being centred on the prang – not the usual Khmer design.
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- Enclosure gopura from original sandstone.
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- The gopura of the mandapa.
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- Gopura on south wall flanked by decorative balusters.
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- Sandstone gopura on the anataraia.
Central Spine
The central spine of the temple is the prang, a mandapa and a connecting anataraia. Within thanataraia are statues of Buddha.
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- Impressive prang towards the western end of the temple..
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- Mandapa
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- Mandapa gopura.
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- Representations of Buddha in the anataraia.
Libraries
Future Restoration
There is a whole field of ancient sandstone blocks strewn around at the western end of the prasat that will be used in future restoration, as appropriate. At the opposite end of the prasat is a supply of new sandstone blocks ready for refurbishment work. The process is known as anastylosis.
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- Unused stones and blocks.
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- Holes for lifting and locating.
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- The only curved block.
Outside the Wall
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- Brick base of ruined structure outside the wall.
© Kim Epton 2024
410 words, 32 photographs.
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