Leak Neang

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King Rajendravarman's state temple Pre Rup probably was surrounded by numerous smaller temples, maybe they were edifices within an outer enclosure of Pre Rup not existing any more. One of those satellite temples of Pre Rup remains. It is called Leak Neang, sometimes romanized Lak Nan. Leak Neang is located only in 200 m distance to the north-east of Pre Rup, just at the opposite side of the Grand Circuit road, but a little bit hidden inside the wood.

Originally there may have been three Prasats, only one tower can still be seen. Three or more Prasats in a row on a single platform, arranged on a north-south axis, are called longitudinal temples. Other contemporary examples from the tenth century are Bei Prasat, Prasat Kravan and Bat Chum.

The remaining sanctuary tower is noticeably crooked and not in a fair condition. The sacred chamber of this small and simple structure only of 2.30 m width. The inscription on the door jambs mentioning several donations is from 960, one year earlier than Pre Rup. The bricks used at Leak Neang are smaller than those at Pre Rup.

The lintel panel above the entrance to the east has a frieze of small praying figures at the top. Its main panel shows Indra's mount, the threeheaded elephant Airavata, called Erawan in Thailand, a popular subject on Angkorian lintels.

Indra did not play a considerable role in King Rajendravarman's official cult, which was Shivaism, but he usually was held in high esteem among Buddhists. Thus the depiction of a Hindu deity does not contradict assumptions that Leak Neang could have been a Buddhist monument just like the contemporary Bat Chum further to the southwest. In this case the small structure would have been one of the earliest Buddhist temples in Angkor, besides Bat Chum.

Confusingly, there is another very similar temple in Angkor called "Leak Neang", with one of originally three brick towers from the 10th century, but some decades older. Leak Neang 2 is located at the northern slope of Phnom Bok.

To see the lintel carving of Leak Neang, prefer a visit in the morning. You will need the Angkor ticket for the much more imposing Pre Rup on the other side of the road.