Beng Mealea Temple is one of the largest temple complexes of the Khmer Empire, built in the early 12th century​ by Suryavarman II.

Beng Mealea Temple is one of the largest temple complexes of the Khmer Empire, built in the early 12th century​ by Suryavarman II.

 "A fascination jungle temple was built on the ancient royal highway to Preah Khan Kompong Svay​ temple in Preah Vihear province and was an important temple in the history of the Khmer empire."




Temple Info


Prasat Beng Mealea, also known as Boeng Mealea "A wreath pond", is a temple from the Angkor Wat period was built by Suryavarman II dedicated to god Vishnu. It is a Hindu temple, but some carvings depict Buddhist motifs. Its primary material is sandstone and the temple used to be utterly consumed by jungle, but some of the dense foliage has been cut back and cleaned up in recent years. 

The history of the temple is unknown and it can be dated only by its architectural style, identical to Angkor Wat, so scholars assumed it was built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century. Smaller in size than Angkor Wat, the king's main monument.

Beng Mealea nonetheless ranks among the Khmer empire's larger temples: the gallery which forms the outer enclosure of the temple is 181 m by 152 m. The temple was likely the center of a town, and it lies on the ancient royal highway which connecting of Angkor Thom to Preah Khan Kompong Svay temple in Preah Vihear province, surrounded by a moat 1025 m by 875 m large and 45 m wide.

Structures known as libraries lie to the right and left of the avenue that leads in from the east. There is extensive carving of scenes from Hindu mythology, including the Churning of the Sea of Milk and Vishnu being borne by the bird god Garuda. Causeways have long balustrades formed by bodies of the seven-headed Naga serpent.

Beng Mealea is oriented toward the east but has entranceways from the other three cardinal directions. The basic layout is three enclosing galleries around a central sanctuary, collapsed at present. Entering into the temple nowadays is from the south, visitors wend their way over piles of finely chiseled sandstone blocks, through long, dark chambers and between hanging vines.


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Temple Facts


Name: Beng Mealea Temple / Prasat Beng Mealea

Completed date: Early 12th Century

Built by: Suryavarman II

Dedicated to: Vishnu

Affiliation:​​​ Hinduism

Style: Angkor Wat

Temple Pass: $5 per person.


Getting There:


Beng Mealea temple is located in northeast the Siem Reap town about 63km, near Kulen Mountain National Park. The temple is approximately 10km away from Svay Leu village along road 64 to Preah Vihear province.

To get there, there are two routes from the Siem Reap which you may take. From Siem Reap, you will head along national road 6 to Phnom Penh, while arrival Domdek market, turn left go along the road 64. It is about 63km and perhaps takes 1.2 hours by Car.

Another way, head along the national road 6 to Phnom Penh, while arriving Bakong at the three-way intersection, turn left go along the road 66 until arrival Banteay Srei​ roundabout, turn right along the way to Kulen Mountain national park by connected to the road 64.


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