Tep Pranam temple, Angkor Thom

 On the north of Terrace of the Leper King, passing by small shops is Tep Pranam.

There are 4 lions facing each other halfway along the laterite causeway. A 75 meter laterite causeway guarded by lion on each side lead to a single hall with the image inside.

The naga balustrade and the sema stones are only on the eastern causeway.

part of the causeway opposite to temple

Etymology of the temple name:

Pronounced as "Prannom". The word Tep comes from the Sanskrit word, Dev, meaning a diety. Pranam has its root in the Sanskrit word Pranaam, which means bowing in front of a deity with palms pressing together during prayers.

Layout of temple:

• The layout of this temple is very simple. A 75-meter long and 8 meter wide laterite causeway leads to the main image. The causeway is split in the center with a pair of lions facing each other.

• The east facing causeway has sema stones or boundary in its four corners and is surrounded by small chedis all around. 

• The causeway is surrounded by a naga balustrade. The head of naga is no longer there but on careful observation look like a 7-hooded naga.

Period of construction:

A stele found near the temple suggests its existence and being constructed by Yashovarman I as there were many Buddhist monasteries built during that time in the area.

The causeway with Naga balustrades was a later addition built when Angkor Thom was built by Jayavarman VII.

The guardian lions point to 13th century.

The principle image on the lotus platform is from the 16th century.

remnants of chedis around the temple

The terrace is surrounded by small chedis on its north, south and west leaving the east which is the entrance.

lone standing almost perfect chedi

At the base of  image is a naga balustrade being held by garuda.

A concrete patchwork has been done on the original image during restoration. The image belonging to 15-16th century sits with one hand touching the ground and the other over his right leg. This is the Bhumisparsha mudra or calling the mother earth to witness.

The image is 6 meters high and sits 1 meter high on a lotus.

The head has a ushnisha, with hair which comes up with a flame like tip. It symbolizes wisdom, spiritual enlightenment.

The statue sits on a lotus pedestal

Standing Buddha:

On the western side, is a 4 meter high Buddha in Abhaymudra, or the gesture of fearlessness.

Keep going towards westwards and there is a standing statue of Buddha.

a woman offering prayers

The statue has been supported by a wall of bricks from behind.

Since the place is hardly visited, most people like to relax here. The temple has been renovated now.

temple when I visited earlier

sema stone in a corner

lion guarding the entrance

Though a short detour, combine visiting it with Preah Palilay which is slightly further ahead.

Terrace of Elephants, Angkor Thom

The Terrace of Elephants served as a ceremonial platform. It was built by King Jayavarman VII toward the end of the 12th century, with later kings adding to the structure.

The terrace is believed to have once supported wooden pavilions and viewing galleries, from where the king and his court could observe public ceremonies, processions, and parades. These wooden structures, however, could not withstand the passage of time and no longer survive.

entrance to Royal Palace

This ceremonial U-shaped place runs for a distance of 300 meters north to south.

Lesser perron or south perron

Flanking the central perron are four smaller ones, each with a staircase leading up to a raised platform.

Three large elephant heads project outward from the wall. Their trunks extend downward to form pillars reaching the ground. These sculptures closely resemble the elephant heads seen at the South gate at Angkor Thom.

Large elephant heads protrude out of wall

Elephant head sculptures:

Large elephant heads project outward from the wall. These elephants represent Airavata, the divine mount of Indra.

The trunks of these elephants touch the ground to form a base. Their heads have an ornamental piece suggesting ceremonial elephants.

Carvings of Garuda and lions:

The terrace walls are richly carved with figures of Garuda alternating with lions, adding to the monument’s symbolic and ceremonial grandeur.

alternate lion and Garuda carvings

alternate garuda and lionstanding Garuda and lion carvings along the wall

Naga balustrade:

The entire length of the platform is bordered by a naga balustrade, enhancing the terrace’s ceremonial and symbolic character.

Elephant carvings on Southern grand staircase or South Peron:

In one section, the wall is decorated with a series of elephant sculptures carved in relief.

 

In another section, a elephant head protruding along with cavings

elephant head coming out of the wall

The place is so named as the wall has many elephant carvings on the eastern side. It extends from Baphuon in south to Terrace of Leper King in north.

On careful observation, you can clearly see mahout on elephants, hunting scenes, elephants fighting.

Northern Grand staircase or North Peron:

This platform near the terrace of Leper King is perhaps the grandest of all the staircases. On the side wall are beautifully sculpted features.

The peron has two lions on either side.

On the lower side are three trunks of elephants coming out of wall. On both sides, are carvings of apsara and garuda.

Garuda and lion grace the lower tier, whereas just above them are apsaras.

numerous carvings of Apsara

steps leading to upper side to the lotus seat from the side of Terrace of Leper King

South to the Terrace of Leper King, are a flight of steps leading to upper floor, guardians on side

side wall

sculptures on side of stairs

The sculptures portray men wrestling, chariots, and scenes of everyday life.

Upper side:

The centerpiece here is a high rostrum with three elephants heads on either side of a lotus seat. The terrace face east towards the Victory Gate.

lotus seat in center, two three headed elephants on sides

The lotus seat suggests that an image was placed here. The image is missing. Was the image that of Buddha or some other God?

broken pieces on floor. Are the holes in stones made for parasols for Kings?

The elephants here are slightly different.

The three large elephant heads project from the wall. Their trunks are adorned with ornamental bands, suggesting the golden headpieces traditionally placed on ceremonial elephants, bells hang from their neck and each trunk hold lotus buds.

On either side of the elephants, the walls are sculpted with apsaras.

carvings with apsara and kalmukha below the lotus seat

In between the three-headed elephants, is seen a kalamukha surrounded by a collection of devtas, apsaras. 

On the side stand standing apsaras

naga balustrade

floor of terrace

Prasat Suor Prat:

In front of Terrace of Elephants, are a series of small structures, the Prasat Suor Prat. It is not clear the exact purpose of these.

I plan to write a detailed post on suor prat soon.