Three temples Bakong, Lolei and Preah Ko 11 Kilometers (6.8
miles) southeast of the Siem Reap Market, comprise the Roluos group of
monuments they are close together and extend over an area of three kilometers (
1.9 miles ) east of the Great
Lake .
The Roluos group, dating from the late ninth century, is the
earliest site of the 600 years Angkor Period that is open to visitors.
The three temples belonging to this important group have
similar characteristics of architecture, decoration, materials and construction
methods, which combine to reveal the beginning of the Classic Period of Khmer
art.
BACKGROUND
Roluos is the site of an ancient center of Khmer
civilization known as Hariharalaya (the abode of Hari-hara'). Some 70 years
after Jayavarman II established his capital on Mount Kulen
in 802 inaugurating the Angkor Period, the king moved the king moved the
capital to Hariharalaya, Perhaps for a better source of food or for defence
purposed. He died at roluos in 850. It is generally believed that his
successors remained there until the capital was moved to Bakheng in 905.
Architecture: The buildings of the Roluos Group are
distinguished by tall square-shaped brick towers on pedestals. The open to the
east, with false doors on the other three sides. As is typical of this period, brick
was used for the towers and sandstone for carved areas such as columns, lintels
and decorative niches.
A wall originally enclosed the temples though only traces
remain today. It was intersected on two or more sides by an entry tower, an
innovation of this period, of perhaps slightly earlier. The early examples were
square with a tiered upper portion. The library also made also appearance at
Roluos. It is a rectangular building with a curved roof and pediments. A temple
often has two libraries, one on each side of the entry tower preceding the
Central Sanctuary.
DECORATION: The characteristic decorative features of the
Roluos group are: a Kala (monster head), the Hindu god Visnu on his mount the
Garuda, female figures with abundant jewelry, and a preponderance of guardians
and Apsaras. Columns are generally octagonal and intricately adorned with
delicate leaves. Decoration on the lintels at Roluos is, according to some art
historians, ' the most beautiful of all Khmer art '
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