Prang Pha Kho ปรางค์พะโค - 11th Century Khmer Temple - Nakhon Ratchasima Thailand 2024

Prang Pha Kho ปรางค์พะโคShow more

The temple is located in the south central part of Nakhon Ratchasima province. Only a few sections of what was originally likely to have been a significant sized temple remain standing today.

The temple consists of an east facing, T-shaped main shrine siting on a high laterite base. The lower sections are in sandstone with upper courses probably in brick.
One partially intact library sits to the northeast with traces of a second in the southeastern quadrant. Unusually, the 'library' opens to the south.

The complex is enclosed by a moat on three sides while modern road now covers the eastern side which would have featured the entrance causeway and possibly a gopura.

Although the main shrine in particular is in poor condition the structures still feature plenty of carved and decorative sandstone elements including false doors and octagonal colonettes while the library houses a nice preserved lintel. A pair of devata reliefs were also found and have since been transferred to the Phimai National Museum along with a pair of guardian lions and a damaged pediment. (While common at Angkor temples, apsara - or devata - figures are rare in Khmer temples located in what is today Thailand.)

The unusual lintel appears to depict a complete Kala figure with, not only a standard style head and hands holding garlands, but the body of a lion. The somewhat eroded relief is hard to date precisely but the overall style of the sanctuary is early to mid-11th century.

A second, damaged lintel is today on the ground as are sections of pediments and colonnettes, a large, intact linga pedestal, several intact antefixes and three lotus bud top pieces.

It has been suggested these are evidence of three original towers although no traces of additional platforms are visible.

A large number of additional sandstone and laterite blocks on the ground are evedence of additional original structures that have not been restored.

The site is small and unknown but enjoyable to visit. There are many sites like this scattered around the region.

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