Preah Khan Temple
Preah Khan temple is located 2 kilometers at north-east of Angkor Thorm on the Grand Circuit. The temple was built at the second half of the 12th century in AD 1191 by King Jaya-varman VII, dedicating to his father Dharanindravarman. Buddhist compound covering 56 hectares, which has served as the core of a group that includes Neak Pean and Ta Som, located 4 kilometers long Jayatataka Baray—the last great reservoirs to be built in Angkor.
Inscription showed Preah Khan was built on the battle site where King Jaya-varaman VII finally defeated the Chams. In those days it was known as the Nagarajayacri which mean the city of Preah Khan.
Four concentric ramparts subdivide Preah Khan. At outer or fourth wall, which is encircled by a wide moat, today encloses a large tract of forest, formerly the living quarters of the monks, students and attendants of Preah Khan. The second rampart delineated the principle of religious compound of about four hectares within which there is a dense concen¬tration of temple and shrines. Central campus is Buddhism. Northern and western areas are dedicated to
Brahmanism— Vishnuk (west) and Shivaik (north), whilst the southern sector is a place of ancestor worship. The eastern sector forms the main entrance to the central shrine.
A place for a king located near Preah Khan temple is called Veal Rea cheak or Preah Rea chea Dak. It is 1,500 meters long and 1,200 meters wide. Nearby about 700 meters north of Preah Khan temple along of the road to Angkor Thorm district is another small temple called Ptu. The temple was made of laterite.