The Royal Palace was first built by King Suryavarman I. He was a very strong and powerful king who ruled from 1002 to 1050. The palace continued to be used from 11th century to the 16th century AD. The later kings renovated the place many times.
Much of the structure does not exist. Only pillars, some walls can be seen covered with moss and trees.
East gopura of Royal Palace
History of Royal Palace:
The construction of palace in Angkor was started by King Rajendravarman II in the 10th century after he shifted his capital from Koh Ker to Angkor in 944 A.D. For the next 600 years this place was modified several times by different rulers.
King Rajendravarman II (944- 968) started the construction of the Phimeanakas temple which stands in the center of compound. It was later completed by King Suryavarman I (1002-1050).
Jayavarman VII enclosed the place with walls, construction of Terrace of Elephants.
Layout of palace:
The royal palace has a very simple plan. It is located to the northwest of Bayon and Baphuon temple. It is 14 hectares in area and is surrounded by 8 meter high and 12 kms long laterite wall. The wall is said to be circled by a 100 meter wide moat. Though not clearly visible now, one can still see the traces of its existence.
The gopuras served as entrance to palace.
Since, most of the structures were made of perishable materials, they have not stood the passage of time.
Structural plan of terrace:
The terrace has five projections, or perrons, spaced at intervals along its length. The central perron is positioned directly in front of the Royal Palace.
Grand entrance to Royal Palace or the central perron:
Of the five perrons, the central one is the largest and most prominent, aligned with the Royal Palace. A grand staircase, guarded by lion sculptures, leads up to this perron. The staircase opens onto a terrace that forms part of the Royal Palace complex behind it.
The tiers of platform:
The first platform has carvings of Garuda alternating with standing lions. Naga platform forms a balustrade throughtout the whole length of terrace.
The second platform which rises 1 meter has asuras and devas.
The third platform again rises slightly has two lions on its side.
The fourth level has nothing much left.
Purpose of the terrace:
The Royal Palace stands directly behind the terrace, and the ruling king is believed to have come here regularly to appear before his subjects.
Parade grounds:
The vast open grounds in front of the terrace served as a venue for games, ceremonial processions, and festivals. They were also used to honor victorious armies returning from battle.
As an Audience platform:
The terrace likely supported a wooden roof, which has not survived the passage of time. From this elevated platform, the king addressed the people, heard petitions, and resolved the concerns of his subjects.
view from Royal Palace entrance, naga balustrade, terrace looking to Victory Gate
The base of entrance to royal palace is decorated with garuda which continues and merges with Terrace of Elephants.
base of first platform with garuda and lions with naga balustrade
first tier with garuda and lions, two lions sit on each side
The second tier is decorated with asuras and devtas
naga balustrade
first and second platform, asuras and devtas on this platform
this level guarded by lions
After few steps, the platform rises by 1 meter for the third platform. It again rises slightly after few steps.
Sides of steps on third platform are flanked by standing lions. Straight in front is the east entrance to Royal Palace.There must have been sculptures in this area but with time, only big stones are witness to time.
fourth level, nothing remains now, partial remains of naga balustrade
East gopura, entrance to Royal Palace in front of fourth terrace
The east gopura connects palace area to terrace of elephants. It has a big central entrance and two side entrances.
Entrance to Royal Palace:
Entrance to royal palace is through five sandstone gopuras. Since, the east served as the main entrance, it is the largest.
The palace is surrounded by a 5 meter high laterite wall (reminants can still be seen). It was 246 meters bt 585 meters in dimension. It covered an area of 14 hectares.
Gopuras:
The gopuras here have been influenced by the construction of the Khleangs.
Entrance to palace was through 5 gopuras. Two gopuras are in the south, two on the north and the main entrance facing the east. It is also the largest facing the Terrace of Elephants and Victory Gate.
false window
leaves and flowers decorating the walls
decorative pilaster on column
Almost perfect lintel. It shows a kaal head in the center.
In Khmer architecture, a kala head is ubiquitously seen in most of the lintel in temples. On top of him sits a deity.
Meaning: The deity or figure is more powerful than the kala and controls time and death, which kala denotes.
Seated figure: Most of the time, the figure is Indra on Airawata, Vishnu and so on. These figures are seen in all cardinal directions and refer to guardins of directions. Referred to as dikpalas, every guardian protects a particular direction. Kubera in North, South is protected by Yama, Indra looks to East and Varuna in the West. They usually sit on their mount.
Here, the figure is seen seated in a royal posture, known as rajalilasana. The person sits with his right knee bent and his right hand placed on top of the knee. The person is clearly Brahmin, as he wears the sacred thread over his shoulder. The other leg is folded under the right knee. He holds a thick cane or baton in his right hand.
Since, the lintel faces South, it can point to the figure being Yama, the God of Death. The cane is used to punish the wrong doers or sinners.
Inscriptions on door jambs:
It is very easy to miss the two inscription slabs. There are two of the five original sandstone slabs. Numbered as K. 292/1, it is an ancient documented inscription slab.
The above inscription slab is known as "The Oath of Allegiance to King Suryavarman I". It dates to early 11th century.
Written in a combination of Sanskrit and Khmer, "it demanded complete loyalty from the soldiers. It asked them to be faithful to only one king and not take sides with other kings. They must be ready to sacrifice their lives and must do the best in war. They must also respect the authority of king or take the risk of being punished. If the soldiers respect the king, they and their families will be rewarded in this life and the lives after. You would be would be rewarded if you stay loyal and severely punished if you betray the king."
The inscription remained a sacred text for almost thousand years and was respected by soldiers and even by priests.
Here, in this lintel, a flame sits on top of kaal head. A flame or flower like this symbolizes protection, who devours everything.
Kaal consumes ego, negative karma of anyone who passes under the doorway. The flame is sometimes represented by lotus buds or flowers.
Bathing pools:
On the north of entrance and Phimeanakas temple are the bathing pools, Srah Srei(for women) and Srah Proh (for men)
Srah Srie or the bathing pool for women:
There are two pools on the east side.
East pond:
A small pool on the eastern side was probably the first built pool, measuring 50 meters by 30 meters. This smaller pool was probably a part of original palace plan and continued during the reign of Jayavarman V, Udayadityavarman I, and Suryavarman I.
small pool
Large pool:
Just adjoining the small pool, to the west is the larger pool, Srah Srei. It measures 125 meters by 45 meters and was probably built by Jayavarman VIII. There are 13 steps which go down to 5.32 meters to a laterite ground.
wall of pool
step visible under water
On the south towards Phimeanakas, a wall was built which has only few sections of it in farily good shape
The walls are carved with bas-reliefs
wall showing bas-reliefs of naga princess
multi-headed naga flanked by naga princess
7- headed naga
3 levels of wall beside the pool
This section shows more like male guardians
bas reliefs of birds mainly hamsa all around this level. The fine lines are still visible after such a long time
Hamsa in different flying modes
On the west end of pool, levels of wall can still be seen though not in perfect condition.
this side of pool clearly shows another wall above
Srah Pros or the male bathing pool:
This is further ahead towards the west but I could not see any so retraced my track. It is said to be smaller than the women pool. Instead of naga princess, it is decorated with bas-reliefs of elephants, procession of people, horses. There is the same style of frieze of hamsas near water level.
North gopura:
On the north of srah srei, on the northern wall of palace complex is the north gopura. Built by King Suryavarman I in the 10th or 11th century, they were later renovated by Jayavaraman VII.
Like other gopura in the complex, they served as access gates.
North gate
side view of gopura
A small entry on the side has supported beams suggest maybe providing a passage to Terrace of Elephants.
Top of gopura is decorated with small stupas in corners, standing figures probably dwarapala can be seen.
gopura supported by wooden planks
decorated gopura pillars
The Phimeanakas in the center of Royal Palace complex
Cruciform terrace:
Located near the southwestern gate that connected the Royal Palace area to the Baphuon, lies a fascinating ruined structure known as the cruciform terrace. Though much of its original splendor has faded away, this structure, supported by pillars, still emanates an air of ancient mystery.
Cruciform terrace with columns, small portion of laterite wall. Trees engulfing the remaining structure.
very little remains of laterite side walls
Floral motifs on stones
Four sanctuaries:
Located in close proximity to the south-east gopura, these four sanctuaries form a unique row. They were probably constructed in 10-11th century. The doors of all sandstone temples face the Phimeanakas, that is toward the west.
wall of sanctuary
still intact stairs and door, floral motifs on stones
laterite base with brick wall
Did these structures serve as shrines? or were used for some other purpose?
a part of pillar lies in a corner
Shrines or libraries:
Near the southern wall is a shrine. It is made on a platform.
shrine with two entrances, to the east and west
It has a corbelled-arch roof, with steps leading to shrine.
very little remains of laterite side walls
more temple pieces, probably from gopura
South Gopura:
An impressive gate stands between the Royal Palace area and Baphuon temple.
Entrance to palace area in the south-west wall, palace wall also seen
entrance to Baphuon temple, windows with carved stone wall
I forgot to get a close up of lintel
apsara structures on tower
The entrance gate has many square holes that must have supported wooden beams probably for making a sort of elevation for the guards to keep a watch.
gopura from Baphoun side
carved lintel, Kala devouring makar. What is on top of makar is not very clear
Baphoun temple which is north of Royal Palace
In the center of Royal Palace is the Phimeanakas temple which is very different from any other temples in Angkor.
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