Neak Pean is one of the renowned Buddhist temples in Angkor, Cambodia. It is located on an artificial island. It was built by Jayavarman VII at the end of 12th century. The term “Neak Pean” means “the entwined serpents”. As the sculptures of snakes run around the base of the temple structure, it derived that name. This temple was originally designed as a hospital and then it was transformed to a Buddhist temple. It is different from other temples in Angkor, as it was located on an island in the middle of the man-made reservoir.

 

 

Neak Pean has four connected pools, which are the symbolic representation of four important elements water, Earth, wind and fire. It is beautiful in wet seasons, when the ponds are filled with water. The scholars believe that Neak Pean is a representation of Anavatapra, a lake in Himalayas, whose waters have magical powers to cure diseases. As the pools stand for four elements, it is believed that they would balance the elements in the bather and cure the diseases. The central water source can be found in the middle of these four ponds.

 

The statues of two nagas that surround the base of this temple were sculptured marvelously. These two nagas symbolize the naga kings Nanda and Upananda. The heads of these nagas tangled on the east side of this monument and their tails entwined on the west side.

 

The island on each side of the temple was defined by laterite steps with pavements set on the axes. The four corners of the temple must have small elephant figurines, but now there is only one in the north east side. The upper platform of Neak Pean resembles a huge lotus flower and motifs at the base of the prasat were carved wonderfully in a row of sixteen opposing petals.

 

Neak Pean’s central sanctuary has two upper tiers that are crowned with lotus flowers. The frontons are dedicated to offer details about the life of Lord Buddha. You can see the event “ cutting of the hair” in the east, Buddha meditating under the Bodhi tree in the west and the Grand Departure in the north. The tympanum in south side was destroyed. The false doors in north, west and south sides boast of fine panels that contain beautiful images of Lokeswara, the bodhisattva.

 

Neak Pean was restored by the process of anstylosis. It is quite different to see Neak Pean in the renovated form. You can see a statue of Bahala, a Bodhisattva Guan Yin who transformed into a horse in this temple. This statue is a symbol of drowning prevention.

 

 

Neak Pean is located 2.5 kilometers away from Preah Khan. If you want to see the waterspouts in the form of animal and human heads, you can plan your visit to this temple in summer, when the pools are empty of water. However, a delightful setting is created in the months of October and November only. The ponds rely on the flow from the neighboring river and you can enjoy the manmade decorative carvings and the beauty of nature there.

 

© 2009 Abiyoyo SL