Phnom Bakheng, Hindu temple mountain at Angkor, Cambodia.
Phnom Bakheng is a temple mountain of dark grey and brown weathered stone rising in seven tiers on a natural hill. A steep central staircase of stacked stone steps climbs the facade to a flat upper level, where five sandstone sanctuaries stand in a quincunx. Brick towers mark the upper corners, rows of small square openings run along the walls, and fallen rectangular blocks lie at the base.
King Yasovarman I commissioned this temple in the late 9th century as the centerpiece of his new capital. The construction represented a turning point in how the Khmer Empire designed and organized its major religious buildings.
The temple's original name was Yasodharagiri, and it was later called Phnom Kandal, the central hill, between Phnom Bok and Phnom Krom. The name Phnom Bakheng first appears in a 16th-century inscription. A footprint of the Buddha is carved at a central spot on the path up the hill, one of three such footprints in the Angkor region.
The climb to the top is steep, so visitors should wear sturdy shoes and allow extra time for the ascent. The best times to visit are early morning or late afternoon when the sun is more comfortable.
The five main towers are positioned like dots on a die, creating an unusual pattern in Khmer architecture. This rare five-point composition sets it apart from other temples in the region.
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