Phanom Rung Historical Park
Phanom Rung Historical Park | |
---|---|
Buriram | |
Deity | Shiva |
Location | |
Country | Thailand |
Geographic coordinates | 14°31′57″N 102°56′30″E / 14.53250°N 102.94167°E |
Architecture | |
Type | Khmer |
Completed | 10th–13th centuries |
Phanom Rung Historical Park ของชาวสยาม is an
The Phanom Rung sanctuary compound was constructed over several phases, dated by means of iconography of its art and architectural styles together with its inscriptions. These comprise two foundations of sacred brick buildings of 10th century C.E., the minor sanctuary of 11th century, the central sanctuary built by King Suryavarman II in 12th century and two Bannalais (libraries) of the 13th century. Further sacred buildings built in the reign of King Jayavarman VII in 13th century, including the Royal attire Changing Pavilion, the Kudi Rishis of Nong Bua Ray, the medical centre or hospital (Arokayasala) and Prasat Ban Bu, a rest house with fire where travelers could shelter (Dharmasala) on the plain at the foot of Phanom Rung, alongside the road linking Angkor and Phimai. These evidence an important vice-regal centre on and around the mountain that flourishes from the 10th to the 13th centuries.[1]
Thailand's
Site
Phanom Rung is an extinct volcano 386 metres (1,266 ft) in elevation in Ta Pek subdistrict, Chaloem Phra Kiat district, Buriram. The name comes from Khmer: ភ្នំរុង, meaning 'large mountain'.[4]
Architecture
After the three-leveled lower stairway is the first
The walkway leads to the first of three
This final terrace leads to the outer gallery. It probably used to be a wooden gallery with a tiled roof, but only a raised floor of laterite remains. After the outer gallery one reaches the inner
The bridge leads directly into the main
Apart from the main tower, other buildings in the compound are:
- Two brick sanctuaries built around the 10th century, northeast of the tower.
- The minor sanctuary southwest of the tower with a sandstone altar for a sacred image. It was built with sandstone in the 11th century. Prang Noi has only one entrance facing east. The sanctuary is square with indented corners, giving it a round feel.
- Two Bannalai southeast and northeast of the principal tower. The buildings are rectangular and have only one entrance. They were built in the last period, around the 13th century, and used as a library for holy scriptures.
Phra Narai Lintel
One of the most well-known elements of the temple is a decorative lintel placed above the eastern entrance to the central sanctuary. It depicts a reclining Vishnu or Vishnu Anantasayin, and is known in Thai as Thap Lang Narai Banthomsin (ทับหลังนารายณ์บรรทมสินธุ์).
The lintel is best known for its restitution from the Art Institute of Chicago in 1988. It had been stolen from the temple site in the 1960s and was acquired by the museum in 1967, where it was displayed for over twenty years, described as "the Birth of Brahma with Reclining Vishnu on a Makara". In early 1988, as restoration of the temple neared completion, calls were made by several parties in Thailand for its return. The issue became the subject of intense media attention, with some even accusing the US Government of facilitating the theft.[5] The Thai government entered negotiations with the museum, which was unwilling to consider an unconditional return, since it had acquired the item in good faith. Finally, in October, the museum agreed to repatriate the lintel in exchange for a donation from the Chicago-based Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation.[6] The lintel's arrival in Thailand on 10 November was widely celebrated, and was covered live on the national TV pool. It was restored to its original position on 7 December, marking the completion of the temple's restoration.[7]
References
- ^ "Ensemble of Phanom Rung, Muang Tam and Plai Bat Sanctuaries". UNESCO. Archived from the original on 2023-04-17.
- ^ "Historical background and importance Phanom Rung Historical Park", virtualhistoricalpark.finearts.go.th, retrieved April 28, 2023
- ^ "Phnom Rung Historical Park". Retrieved 9 Jul 2006. Printed by Joseph Plastic Crad (Korat) and Print Co. Ltd.
- ^ "พนมรุ้ง". Gazetteer of Thailand. Office of the Royal Society. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ^ Crossette, Barbara (10 February 1988). "Thais Accuse U.S. of Theft Of Temple Art". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
- ^ "Chicago Museum to Return Lintel Thais Say Was Stolen". The New York Times. AP. 25 October 1988. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
- ^ Sukphisit, Suthon (9 November 2014). "A legacy set in stone". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
External links
- Nang Rong travel guide from Wikivoyage