Prasat Krawan is
located in the east of Angkor Wat and south of Banteay Kdei. A enter and depart
from the east
Prasat KravanTip: The
reliefs in this tower are best viewed in the morning when the east light enters
the door, in the afternoon they are barely visible.
It was built in the
first half of the tenth century (921) by Completed during the reign of
Harshavarman 1 (it may have been built by high court officials) in Hindu
religion with following transitional from Bakheng to Koh Ker.
BACKGROUND
The main point of
interest at Kravan is the sculpture on the interior of two of the five towers
depicting Visnu and his consort, Laksmi; the scene in the central tower is the
most impressive one. These carvings in brick on the interior of a monument are
unique in Khmer architecture.
This temple was
reconstructed by the French and given a new foundation, interior walls and
drains. Some broken bricks were replaced with carefully made reproductions
which are marked with the letters CA; representing the Angkor Conservancy These
can be seen, for example, on both the interior and exterior of the tower on the
right.
LAYOUT
Kravan is an unusual
arrangement of five towers in a row on one terrace. They are built of brick; the
lintels and columns are of sandstone.
This is the only tower
with recessed tiers intact, which are visible on the interior. The columns are
octagonal, with four bare sides and sandstone rings. This tower enclosed a
linga on a pedestal. An inscription on the pillars gives the date 921 for the
erection of the statue of Visnu on the interior Decoration (exterior): The east
side of the Central
Tower is sculpted with
male guardians in shallow niches and chevrons and framed figures on the
pilasters.
A frieze of small
heads adorns the lintel. Decoration (interior): The main decoration of this
tower, on the left, depicts Visnu taking three steps to span the universe and
to assure the gods of the possession of the world. It comprises a standing
image of Visnu (with four arms) carrying his attributes-a disc, a ball, a conch
and a club. One of his feet rests on a pedestal; nearby a person is meditating
and another one is walking on a lotus held by a woman on a background of
undulating lines representing the waves of the ocean.
On the right, Visnu (with
eight arms) is framed with six registers of people meditating and a giant
lizard. This sculpture on brick was formerly coated with stucco and was
probably highlighted with colours.
This temple was
dedicated to Laksmi, wife of Siva. She holds the symbols of her powers in her
four hands and is flanked by kneeling admirers, the niche with multiple lobes
is decorated with tassels and floral swags.
The walls on the
interior have no decoration A lintel on the exterior with Visnu on his mount, the
Garuda, is skillfully modeled.
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