Temples of Angkor

Ta Som Temple

Build Date: End of the 12th century C.E
Religious: Hinduism
Reign of: Jayavarman VII

Artistic/Style: Bayon
Location: Angkor Thom
Duration of Visit: 15-30 minutes.

Designed to be entered from the east, Ta Som is surrounded by a moat and enclosed by three laterite walls which are broken by two sets of gopura (entrance ways). The gopuras are cross-shaped and contain a small room on each side along with windows containing balusters. The main structure of the gopura are carved with four faces in the Bayon style. The eastern outer gopura has been overgrown by a sacred fig (Ficus religiosa) which has grown down through the blocks that make up the gopura and into the ground. The inner section of the temple consists of a central cruciform sanctuary with porches at each arm surrounded by four corner pavilions. Two small libraries sit on either side of the eastern entrance path.

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