Phanom Rung historical park

Phanom Rung (Thai: ปราสาทหินพนมรุ้ง), or, with its full name, Prasat Hin Phanom Rung (Phanom Rung Stone Castle), is a Khmer temple complex set on the rim of an extinct volcano at 1,320 feet above sea level, in Buriram province in the Isan region of Thailand. It was built in sandstone and laterite in the 10th to 13th centuries. It was a Hindu shrine dedicated to Shiva, and symbolises Mount Kailash, his heavenly dwelling.

Thailand's Department of Fine Arts spent 17 years restoring the complex to its original state from 1971 till 1988. On 21 May, 1988, the park was officially opened by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. In 2005, the temple was submitted to UNESCO for consideration as a future world heritage site.

Architecture

After the three-leveled lower stairway, the visitor finds himself/herself on the first cruciform platform with a first peek at the main temple. On the right, northward, is Phlab Phla or the White Elephant House. The pavilion is believed to be the place where kings and the royal family would change attire before rituals. Royalty would then enter the Processional Walkway, one of the most impressive elements of the park. It is 160 meters long and bordered by seventy sandstone posts with tops of lotus buds. The Walkway itself is paved with laterite blocks.

The Walkway leads to the first of three naga bridges. The five-headed snakes face all four directions and are from the 12th century. This bridge represents the connection between heaven and earth. The naga bridge leads to the upper stairway, which is divided into five sets. Each set has terraces on the sides. The last terrace is wide, made with laterite blocks. It has a cruciform shape and four small pools. A couple more steps lead to the second naga bridge. It has the same shape as the first one, only smaller. In the middle the remains of an eight petalled lotus carving can be seen.

This final terrace leads to the outer gallery. It probably used to be a wooden gallery with a tiled roof, but only a raised floor of laterite remains. After the outer gallery one reaches the inner gallery, which is divided in long and narrow rooms. It served as a wall around the principal tower. This last gallery leads to the third and last naga bridge, another small copy of the first one.

The bridge leads you directly into the main sanctuary. After the antechamber and the annex, one reaches the principal tower. Double porches lead out in all directions. The inner sanctum used to have the "linga", the divine symbol of Shiva. Currently, only the "somasutra" remains which was used to drain water during religious rites. The entrances have various lintels and icons depicting Hindu religious stories, e.g. the dancing Shiva and the five Yogi's. The southern entrance is guarded by a sandstone statue.

Apart from the main tower, other buildings in the compound are:

  • Two brick sanctuaries built around the 10th century, northeast of the tower.
  • The minor sanctuary southwest of the tower with a sandstone altar for a sacred image. It was built with sandstone in the 11th century. Prang Noi has only one entrance facing east. The sanctuary is square with indented corners, giving it a round feel.
  • Two Bannalai southeast and northeast of the principal tower. The buildings are rectangular and have only one entrance. They were built in the last period, around the 13th century, and used as a library for holy scriptures.

References

The information on Architecture comes from the park's English language guidebook:

External links

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Koryar Bunnag
24 March 2012
Lucky me!! Da weather so chill~
: P
5 October 2020
กลุ่มอาคารมีการก่อสร้างหลายยุคสมัยตั้งแต่พุทธศตวรรษที่ 15-18 "พนมรุ้ง” ภาษาเขมร “วนํรุง” แปลว่า ภูเขาอันกว้างใหญ่ คำนี้ปรากฎในศิลาจารึกอักษรขอมพบที่ปราสาทพนมรุ้ง และชื่อผู้สร้างปราสาทคือ “นเรนทราทิตย”
: P
5 October 2020
ปราสาทพนมรุ้ง ตั้งอยู่บนยอดเขาพนมรุ้ง ซึ่งเป็นภูเขาไฟที่ดับสนิทแล้ว เป็นศาสนสถานลัทธิไศวะนิกาย เขาพนมรุ้งและปราสาทบนยอดเขาเปรียบเสมือนเขาไกรลาสที่ประทับของพระศิวะและยังเป็นสัญลักษณ์ของศูนย์กลางจักรวาล
Zzz BoY zzZ
12 August 2013
ในช่วงวันที่3-5เมษายน และ8-10กันยายน ของทุกปี ดวงอาทิตย์ขึ้นส่องแสงลอดประตูทั้ง15บาน นอกจากนี้ในวันที่6-8มีนาคม และ6-8ตุลาคม ของทุกปี ดวงอาทิตย์ก็ตก ส่องแสงลอดประตูทั้ง15บาน เช่นกัน
kudatarn piromchom
19 September 2012
สวย ละก่ะใหญ่ในระดับพอสมควร แต่ทึ่งความสามารถของคนโบราณ ในการสร้างและเลือกชัยภูมิ เป็นอย่างมาก สุดๆ
Zzz BoY zzZ
12 August 2013
ปราสาทหินพนมรุ้ง ห่างจากตัวเมืองบุรีรัมย์มาทางทิศใต้ ประมาณ 77 กิโลเมตร ตั้งอยู่บนยอดภูเขาไฟที่ดับแล้ว สูงประมาณ 200 เมตร จากพื้นราบ คำว่าพนมรุ้ง มาจากภาษาเขมร แปลว่า ภูเขาใหญ่
Load more comments
foursquare.com
9.1/10
86,741 people have been here
Map
0.7km from 2221, Ta Pek, Buri Ram 31110, Thailand Get directions
Fri 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Sat-Sun 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
Mon 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Tue-Wed 10:00 AM–4:00 PM

Phanomrung Historical Park on Foursquare

Phanom Rung historical park on Facebook

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Smart Resort

starting $18

Rainbow Hill Hotel

starting $15

Eireann boutique hotel

starting $37

Nangrong garden home

starting $17

Baan Kamolsit Resort

starting $21

Sakul Kaew Resort

starting $20

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Muang Tum

Prasat Hin Muang Tum (also: Prasat Hin Mueang Tam, Thai:

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Sdok Kok Thom

Sdok Kok Thom (Thai: สด๊กก๊กธม, Sa Dok Kok Tom), or Sdok Kak Thom, is

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Phimai historical park

The Phimai historical park protects one of the most important Khmer

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai National Park (Thai เขาใหญ่) is a national park in Thailand.

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Prasat Sikhoraphum

Prasat Sikhoraphum ไทย. ปราสา

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Thao Suranari Monument

Thao Suranari Monument (ไทย: อนุสา

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Banteay Srei

Banteay Srei (or Banteay Srey) (Khmer:

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Prasat Ak Yum

Prasat Ak Yum (Khmer: ប្រាសាទអកយំ) is temple in the Angkor region of

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Phimai historical park

The Phimai historical park protects one of the most important Khmer

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Mueang Sing historical park

Mueang Sing (Thai: เมืองสิงห์ (Pronunciation)) is a historical park i

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Sdok Kok Thom

Sdok Kok Thom (Thai: สด๊กก๊กธม, Sa Dok Kok Tom), or Sdok Kak Thom, is

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Muang Tum

Prasat Hin Muang Tum (also: Prasat Hin Mueang Tam, Thai:

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Kalemegdan

Kalemegdan (Serbian Cyrillic: Калемегдан) is a fortress and park in a

See all similar places