Koh Ker Temple

THE CITY OF KOH KER (CHOK GARGYAR) 921-944

In 921, “This Sri Jayavaraman, victorious” “having no other supporter in his race than himself,” was usurper, who temporarily conquered and left Yasodharapura (Angkor) than abandoned it or was driven out and established his capital here, he seems to have deposited the devaraja. He declares that “He donates with devotion to the supreme Lord of the Threefold World (Tribhuvanesvara) everythings in the essence of royalty.” There is no doubt that it was proclaimed as Kamrateng jagot ta raja. The divinity was represented by an enormous linga raised on a pyramid immediately behind Prasat Thom.

An inscription says Jayavaraman IV “Founded by his own power, a city which was the seat of the prosperities of the universe.” This city called also Lingapura was located what is now a barren, about one hundred kilometers north and little east of Angkor. King Jayavaraman IV died in 941 and received the posthumous name of Paramesvarapada.

The monuments of Chok Gargyar may be considered in three groups. (1) The Rohal, or artificial lake, Prasat Thom, with its wrongfully called the “Prang” and the ruins of the walled capital, (2) a row or rows of tower to the east of the Rohal and oriented to it, and (3) Several towers along the road running approximately south from the south end of the Rohal and oriented regularly. The whole region occupies an area about 5x7 kilometers, oriented north-northwest and south-southeast.

Royal degree NS/RKT/0504/070 dated 05 Jay, 2004 establishes protected cultural zone in Koh Ker Region and Guidelines for their management.