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| Indra on Airavata, with Ganesh riding his trunk on either side, at Baksei Chamkrong, Siem Reap, Cambodia |
Baksei Chamkrong is a small Hindu temple located in the Angkor complex
(Siem Reap, Cambodia). It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and used to hold a golden
image of him. The temple can be seen on the left side when entering Angkor Thom
at the southern gate. It was dedicated to Yasovarman by his son, King
Harshavarman I. The temple was completed by Rajendravarman II (944-968).
He name Baksei Chamkrong means "The Bird Who Shelters under Its
Wings" and comes from a legend. In it, the king tried to flee Angkor
during a siege and then a huge bird landed and sheltered him under its wings.
This temple is one of the first
temples constructed of durable material such as bricks and laterite and with
decoration in sandstone. Much of the stucco on the surface of the temple has
vanished. The main sandstone lintel is decorated with a fine carving of Indra
standing on his three-headed elephant Airavata. Garlands emanate from either
side of Indra in the style current to the monument. There is an inscription on
either side of the small doorway.
The pyramid measures 27 metres across at the base and 15 at the summit
for an overall height of 13 metres.
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