Overview

• Mid 12th-Early 13th
• Religion: Buddhist
• Patron: Jayavarman VII
• Style: Bayon

Purpose

Ta Prohm's original name, Rajavihara, means "royal monastery" and reflects the temple's original purpose. It was dedicated to the king's mother, while the other main monastery of Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan, was dedicated to his father.

Significance

Ta Prohm is one of the larger temple complexes at Angkor, and an important monument of Jayavarman VII. But it is most noted today for its state of romantic ruin, especially for the large trees which have overrun much of the site.

History

Ta Prohm was one of the major monuments constructed during the reign of Jayavarman VII. It is very characteristic of his works, and similar in style and layout to the other major monastery of the time, Preah Khan.

Description

Ta Prohm's layout is hard to recognize today because the temple is largely in a state of controlled ruin--reconstructed and cleared of vegetation only enough to allow safe access. The temple is kept in this state to offer visitors a glimpse of what Angkor was like when the first European explorers arrived. The entire compound measures 1000 by 650 meters, making it one of the larger at Angkor. Within this enclosure is the temple itself, basically a series of one-level concentric galleries punctuated with gopuras and corner towers. At the center is a central sanctuary. The layout is further complicated by a number of shrines, libraries, and passageways--not to mention the jungle itself, which has overrun much of the temple.