East Mebon Temple

East Mebon Temple

East Mebon Temple

Date:                                    Built in mid tenth century (952)

Religion:                              Hinduism

King:                                     Rajendravarman II (944-968)

Posthumous name:         Sivaloka

 

King Rajendrevarman II dedicated this temple to his parents and Hindu gods.  East Mebon has all the characteristics of a 'mountain temple' symbolizing Mount Meru. East Mebon ia an island temple built in the middle of a man-made lake,Yasotataka which is7km by 2km, supplied by waters from the Siem Reap river and monsoon rain. Today this Lake is waterless. The main entry pavilion of the Royal Palace and the Victory Gate of Angkor Thom weresubsequently aligned along this axis.

Lake: This vast reservoir served to regulate the flow of the river and to irrigate the surrounding plain, is today given over to rice fields. To judge by the laterite steps that surround the small island of the Mebon, the original depth of water contained was approximately three metres and its volume must have been some 40 million cubic metres.

Foundation:

the foundation of this temple measures 126m by 120m with a boat-landing platform on each side.There’re two lion statues guarding in the front. They’re in an action of seating. These lion statues were designed with the typical Khmer style of the9^th century and the 10^th century.

First enclosing wall: the first enclosing wall measures 108m by 104m, built of Laterite.Originally, the top of this wall had sandstone sculptures in a form of candle.That’s why there’re lots holes on it. Today just a few of those sculptures remain.

Drainage: There’s one stone drainage in each side of side this foundation. the end of these drainage, there’s a spout designed as lion head.they were used to take away rain water from the central part of temple.

Elephant: each corner of this level has an elephantstatue. These outstanding elephant statues were carved with a huge single piece of sandstone. Some of them are still very good shape.

 

Entrance: East Mebon temple has an entrance structure each side.As the same as other temples constructed from the 9^th to 10^th century, East Mebon’s entrance were covered by wooden roof on top. Its laterite wall, sandstone window frames and columns still remain.

 

Second foundation: the second foundation measures 65m by 62m.

Long hall: there’re shrines for pilgrims to pray surrounding. Today they only remain some sandstone pillars and laterite walls

Brick shrine: there’re eight small shrines built of brick. The sandstone lintels of these shrines are in good shape. These shrines symbolized the homes of eight guardians of the universe.

Agni shrine: There’s also an Angi shrine without roof in this level.

 

Central complex:the central foundation measures of 30m by 30m built of sandstone.

Five towers: there’re five brick towers designed with a quincunx style. The central tower still has exquisite carvings in its sandstone lintels. Several inscriptions found in the vicinity as well as the foundation stele - dated 952. They tell us that the central tower was dedicated to Shiva. Originally, there was a statue of Shiva and Uma in it. The northern tower in the front was dedicated to Vishnu. The southern tower was dedicated to Brahma.the northern tower at the back row was dedicated to king’s mother. And the southern tower at the back row was dedicated to the king’s father. Each tower of this temple originally had Linga and Yoni sculptures. Eight linga of the god in eight forms were also placed in the eight small towers of the surrounding court. Mebon belongs to a group of temples consecrated to the memory of deified parents.

According to an inscription, the walls were originally covered externally with a lime-based plaster coating (as evident at Pre Rup temple) with the pitted hammer marks in the brickwork to adhere the stucco onto the towers, the only remaining evidence. Most lintels remain in place on this monument and are of excellent craftsmanship. On the central tower to the east, Indra on a three-headed elephant with flights of figures disgorged by makara, under a small frieze of figures in meditation; to the west, Skanda the god of war on his peacock with a line of figures holding lotus flowers; and to the south, Shiva on the sacred bull Nandin.