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Prasat Khnar and Trapeang Ang Kkhnar (ប្រាសាទខ្នារ និងត្រពាំងអង្គខ្នារ)

Prasat Khnar and Trapeang Angkhnar © National Authority of Preah Vihear
Prasat Khnar and Trapeang Angkhnar © National Authority of Preah Vihear

Prasat Khnar and Trapeang Ang Khnar (ប្រាសាទខ្នារ និងត្រពាំងអង្គខ្នារ) is located about 3.6 kilometers from Prasat Thom Complex. Both temple sites are associated, and a source of sacred water in Lingapura, Koh Ker. The surrounding of pond accompanied by carved animals and deities, representing the creation of the universe, agricultural productivity and prosperity more than one thousand years.

Prasat Khnar was built in Jayaraman IV reign, the same time of Prasat Thom complex. The temple is located on the south-north axis in the middle of the southern dam of the Rahal. This temple originally housed a large linga measuring 7 meters height and 4 meters diameter on a 3 meters high pedestal and 7 meters square, built from a cluster of sandstone blocks, unlike other lingas made from a single block of sandstone.

Dedicated to God in Hindu religious, the temple is situated on a hill higher than the nearby reservoir, named Trapeang Ang Khnar. The reservoir (ancient pond) is approximately 0.62 hectares in size. Many of natural bedrocks surrounding the reservoir are carved with images of Shiva god, Brahma god, Vishnu god, Navagrapha (នព្វគ្រោះ), and others.

The great association of linga connected with ancient ponds is when the water and rain that flows through the linga and carvings become sacred water and flows into the Trapeang Ang Khnar, and then into the Rahal, which is the main reservoir for Koh Ker capital. This feature is similar to the construction of lingas at Phnom Kulen and Kbal Spean in the 11th century.

Connection from Prasat Khnar and Trapeang Angkhnar to Prasat Damrei and Prasat Khtum by walking trail, it is 610 meters long. Along the trail, visitors will get excited feeling with natural resources like magnificent landscape, wild flowers in the rainy season, listen bird sounds, visit ancient bas-reliefs and Hindu mythology on bedrock such as Shiva god, Brahma god, Vishnu god and others, as well as sandstone quarry for temple construction. National Authority of Preah Vihear has installed map of walking trail, sculptures panels and tourist information signs to provide information and knowledge to visit and find out about ancient sites. Visiting along trail is around 40 minutes, visitor will be arrived at Prasat Damrei, which is one of the main tourist attractions that was constructed by King Hashavarman II, the son of Jayavarman IV.

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