Sambo Prey Kuk - Kampong Thom

The temples of Sambor Prei Kuk are located in Sambor Village, Sambor commune, about 27 km northeast of Kompong Thom town. The site was once an old capital named Isanapurak and a religious center for the worship of Shiva Brahmanism.

Many temples in Prei Kuk were built during the reign of King Isanavarmann I in the 7th century(AD 616- 635). Temples of Preykuk were constructed of solid, brick, and sandstone. And decorated with bas-reliefs. Until now, 140 temples have been discovered in the forest, the pillars, lintel, and door frames are all made of sandstone. 

Sombor Prei Kuk is located in Kam-pong Thom town, 150km south-east of Angkor Wat(Siem Reap). And lies off the main road towards Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh.

Kampong Thom is a quiet little town. The only marketplace next to the Strong Sen River is busy where we bought some brown palm sugar and Cambodian fragrant rice. Its owner was an old man wearing spectacles with thick lenses.

The trip to Sambor Prei Kuk is interesting  in itself.

Lest you entertain pretty images of temple ruins akin to the grandeur of the awesome Angkor Temple, You'd be disappointed. Sambor Prei Kuk is a group of ancient temple ruins scattered within a silence shady forest. Originally name Isanapura, it pre-dates Angkor Wat and was the capital city during the reign of King Isana Varman 1, the son of King Citrasena.

The temples were built at the end of the 6th century and covering an area of 5sq km.

The small temples are scattered throughout the forest. Left in the open and did not maintain, some of the structures are just mere remnants of their original building? Maybe  a broken wall here, a vine-choked edifice there. There are 52 temples in recognizable condition and another 52 sites where the original structures are now buried in the ground, visible only as small hills.

All is not lost. The Ministry of Culture with Fine Arts, and the Waseda University, supported by The Foundation for CH (Cultural Heritage) and the SM(Sumitomo) Fund have started the Sambor Prei Kuk Conservation Project to restore these ruins.

The first temple group is known as Prasat Sambor is dedicated to shvara God. Some of the towers of the temple still retain their carvings. 

As we walked, enjoying the cool serenity of the silent shady trees. A few child peddlers had grown to 20. Sambor Prei Kuk does not match the splendor of Angkor Wat.