Prei Prasat

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Prasat Prei Prasat, because of its name, could be easily confused with Prasat Prei near Preah Khan. But the Prei Prasat meant in this article is located far away from the Grand Circuit, a few kilometres to the north-west of Angkor Thom. It sees only very few visitors and can not be reached in the rainy season or after heavy rainfall.

"Prei Prasat" means "forest temple". "Prasat", the term for a typical Khmer sanctum in the form of a tower, should be pronounced "Praasaat". Prei Prasat is locally also known as Prasat Chan Ta Oun.

The temple consists of a single Prasat tower with a preceding Mandapa hall to the east, plus a separate structure that could have been a Vahnigriha (fire shrine). The ensemble is enclosed by a laterite wall with gates to east and west and surrounded by a series of water basins, each of them bordered by laterite steps.

The pediment relief at the east entrance of the Mandapa vestibule depicts the Bodhisattva Lokeshvara standing between Vishnu and Brahma. The Buddhist sculpture is defaced, most probably during the reign of Jayavarman VIII who reestablished Hinduism as the state cult in an intolerant way.

First-time visitors can find the temple only with GPS or by asking locals. A visit may be a little bit better in the morning than in the afternoon. An Angkor ticket is not required at this secluded ruin.