Prasat Chrung, Archaeological site at Angkor Thom corners, Cambodia.

Prasat Chrung is a group of four identical temples positioned at the corners of Angkor Thom's outer wall, each featuring carefully carved divine female figures set into niches. Every temple shares the same cruciform layout with matching artistic details that create a balanced design around the entire walled city.

These temples were built during King Jayavarman VII's rule in the 12th century as part of his major construction projects in the region. They marked the corner points of the royal city and were fitted with stone tablets inscribed with records of royal accomplishments and religious dedications.

The name Prasat Chrung means "Shrine of the Angle" in modern Khmer, after the four corners of Angkor Thom's wall where the temples stand. Each sanctuary held a stele inscribed with a poem praising the king, and each stele had four different authors; the steles are now kept in the Conservation office. In the late 13th century, under King Jayavarman VIII, some Buddhist pediments were defaced and the Buddha figure turned into a linga.

Reaching any of these temples takes time and comfortable footwear, since you will walk or cycle several kilometers from either the north or west gate along the city wall. Starting early in the day helps you avoid the heat while exploring the different corners of this vast site.

The steles that once stood at the four temples are now kept in the Conservation office rather than on site. Each of the four poems praising Jayavarman VII had four different authors, and the Khmer inscription K.288 records that the sage Valmiki, author of the Ramayana, was venerated under Jayavarman VII.