Preah Palilay, Buddhist sanctuary in Angkor Archaeological Park, Cambodia
Preah Palilay is a Buddhist temple within Angkor Archaeological Park featuring a central pyramid tower surrounded by walls and an entrance gateway on its eastern side. The structure connects to the nearby royal terrace complex through a cross-shaped passage.
The temple was built in the 12th century under Jayavarman VII and is one of the few Buddhist structures that survived the destruction that followed in the next century. This survival makes it valuable evidence of the region's religious past.
Stone carvings on the walls depict moments from Buddha's life that visitors can see and study while walking through the temple. These scenes reflect the Buddhist beliefs that were practiced here for centuries.
The site is located within the Angkor complex and is best explored on foot as part of a broader visit to the area. Comfortable walking shoes and time to navigate the stone pathways are recommended.
Excavations in the early 1900s uncovered a Buddha statue with traces of black and red lacquer and gold coating still visible on its surface. This discovery revealed how elaborate the original decoration of the temple had been.
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