Dang Tung Temple (ប្រាសាទដងទង់) is one of the lesser-known shrines within the ancient capital of Chok Gargyar (ឆោកគគ្យរ៌) or known as Koh Ker complex presently, a significant archaeological site in northern Cambodia (Preah Vihear Province) that briefly served as the capital of the Khmer Empire in the 10th century, during the reign of Jayavarman IV. The temple is located on the western slope of the Rahal within the boundary of the current village of Koh Ker.
This ruined site was built of sandstone, brick, and laterite stone facing to the east. The remains of enclosure and gopura surround the foundations of a brick library and laterite tower. Its remote location likely discouraged looters, and although little remains standing, the shrine still features a well-preserved sandstone doorway with intricately carved colonnettes and a stunning lintel depicting Vishnu riding Garuda. Inside the shrine, a large and elaborately carved plinth may have once supported a linga, while outside, a broken lion statue rests on the ground. According to local people, an Ardhanarishvara “អឌ្ឍនារីសូរ” statue (half body of Shiva and his wife Uma) is believed to have been housed in this temple. Moreover, Researchers suggest that the site may have been an Arogyasala, with King Jayavarman VII possibly renovating or adapting an earlier hospital chapel that previously existed there.
Its architectural style of Koh Ker and Bayon indicates that the temple was built during the early 10th century and upgraded during the 12th century, by Jayavarman IV’s and Jayavarman VII, respectively.
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