Bat Chum, Buddhist temple site in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Bat Chum is an ancient Buddhist temple site in Siem Reap featuring three brick towers aligned in a north-south line, each with carefully carved doorframes and stone inscriptions. The structures stand as solid examples of traditional temple architecture from the period in which they were built.
A high-ranking official commissioned this temple for construction in the middle of the 10th century during the reign of King Rajendravarman. The site represents an important example of the major temple-building activities that took place across the region at that time.
The carved words and names on the temple walls tell us what mattered most to the people who built and used this place. They reveal which deities received respect and how faith shaped daily life in the region during that era.
The temple sits roughly 400 meters south of the Srah Srang water reservoir, which serves as a useful reference point for navigation. Reaching it involves walking through quieter paths, so comfortable shoes and a willingness to explore side routes are practical advantages.
Archaeological work in the 1950s uncovered decorated stone floor panels with geometric patterns in two of the towers. These patterns connect to specific Buddhist deities whose names remain visible in carvings on the walls.
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