Koh Ker Temple - Koh Ker was briefly the capital city of King Jayavarman IV and Harshavarman II in remote archaeological site, known as the Lingapura (the city of Lingams).

"Koh Ker was briefly the capital of the whole empire (928–944 AD) under the reign of the kings, Jayavarman IV (928–941) and Harshavarman II (941–944). It was found in 921 AD by King Jayavarman IV. Koh Ker is the modern name for an important city of the Khmer empire. In inscriptions, the town is mentioned as Lingapura (city of Lingams) (translated as city of glance, or as iron tree forest)."

Temple Info

Koh Ker, a recent day is a remote archaeological site in northern Cambodia about 120 kilometers away from Siem Reap and the ancient site of Angkor. It belongs to the Preah Vihear province. Also, it is a jungle filled region that is sparsely populated. More than 180 sanctuaries were found in a protected area of 81 square kilometers. Only about two dozen monuments can be visited by tourists because most of the sanctuaries are hidden in the forest and the whole area is not fully demined.

King Jayavarman IV enforced an ambitious building program. An enormous water-tank and about forty temples were constructed under his rule. The most significant temple‑complex, a double sanctuary (Prasat Thom/Prang), follows a linear plan and not a concentric one like most of the temples of the Khmer kings.

Unparalleled the temple is the 36-meter high and seven‑tiered pyramid, which most probably served as the state temple of Jayavarman IV. Really impressive too are the shrines with the two‑meter in high Lingas. Under Jayavarman IV, the style of Koh Ker was developed and the art of sculpture reached a pinnacle.

A great variety of statues were chiseled. Because of its remoteness, the site of Koh Ker was plundered many times by looters. Sculptures of Koh Ker can be found not only in different museums but also in private collections. Masterpieces of Koh Ker are offered occasionally at auctions. These pieces, in present times, are considered stolen art.

Our history said that king Jayavarman IV ruled from 928 to 941 at Koh Ker. He was believed to have been the local king at this remote site, possibly his homeland, before he became king of the whole empire. That could explain why he had his residence at Koh Ker and not at Roluos (Hariharalaya) or at Yashodharapura (Angkor) like the kings before him.

Some historians think that Jayavarman IV was a usurper; but, the majority of them believe that he was a legitimate ruler who could ascend to the throne because he married a half-sister of king Yasovarman I (889 – 900). What is certain is that the two sons of Yasovarman I (Harshavarman I, who ruled from 910 – 923 and Ishanavarman II, who ruled from 923 to 928) had no children.

In the short time that Jayavarman IV reigned in Koh Ker, an ambitious building program was realized. That was only possible because of a restrictive system of raising taxes as seen on inscriptions found at the site. About 40 temples, the unique seven-tiered pyramid, and a huge Baray (water-reservoir) were built. Under Jayavarman IV, the Koh Ker-style was developed and the art of sculpture reached a pinnacle.

After the death of Jayavarman IV, the designated prince became did not take his place. Harshavarman II (another son of Jayavarman IV) claimed the throne. Like his father, he ruled at Koh Ker (941 – 944) but after three years he died; likely not due to natural causes. None of the temples at Koh Ker can be ascribed to him. His follower on the throne, a cousin of his, returned Roluos (Hariharalaya) to the seat of power.

Even after 944, as the capital of the Khmer Empire had changed back to the plains north of the Tonle Sap-lake, more temples were built at the site of Koh Ker. An inscription mentions the reign of Udayadityavarman I in 1001. At the beginning of the 13th century, the last sanctuary was realized there. Under Jayavarman VII, the Prasat Andong Kuk, a so-called hospital-chapel, was built, one of more than 100 of hospital-sanctuaries built under this ruler.

So far, 96 temples have been found in Koh Ker: Dav, Rumlum Bey, Beung Veng, Trapiang Prey, Dey Chhnang, Srok Srolao, Lingam, Kuk Srakum, Trapiang Ta, Sophy, Krahom, Andoung, Ang Khna, Teuk Krahom, Damrei Sar, Krarab, Banteay Pichoan, Kuk, Kmao, Thneung, Thorn Balang, Rohal, Chamneh, Sampich, Trapiang Svay, Neang Kmao, Pram, Bat, Khnar Chen, Klum, Chrab, Dangtung, Prang, Kampiang, etc These temples were not constructed near each other. Today, many of them are no longer standing, and some are buried in the ground. The followings are locations and descriptions of some of the Koh Ker temples.

Temple Facts

Name: Koh Ker Temple

Founded date: 921 AD

Built by: Jayavarman IV (reigned 928–941)

Other temples built by the reign of Udayadityavarman I in 1001 and Jayavarman VII (Prasat Andong Kuk one of hospital chapel).

Dedicated to: Unknown/ (Perhaps, it was built to worship Treypuvanesvara, the god of happiness)

Affiliation:​​​ Hinduism

Style: Koh Ker

Material: Brick, Sandstone, Laterite

Getting There:

Koh Ker was once an ancient capital of Khmer, located in Srayong Cheung village, Srayong commune, Kulen district, Preah Vihear province, it about 49 kilometers west of the provincial town. The Koh Ker complex is on the Chhork Koki highland. It was built by King Jayavarman IV (AD 928-941).

Also, it located about 114km from Siem Reap city.  To get there, you'll go along the national road 6 from Seim Reap to Phnom Penh direction, arrival Damdek Market, turn left go along the road 64 to Prasat Beng Mealea. From Prasat Beng Mealea to Koh Ker is about 57km more. 

Continue road 64 until arriving at the three-way intersection, go straight. Turn right is away go to Preah Vihear.

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