Sdok Kok Thom Khmer Temple - Famous Inscribed 1,000 Year Old Stele - Sa Kaeo Thailand 2023

Sdok Kok Thom temple complex in Sa Kaeo province is among the smaller of the Khmer temples in Northeast Thailand. The temple that is also known as Prasat Sdok Kak Thom or Prasat Sdok Kuk Thom was built dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. It was constructed halfway in the 11th century.

Its layout and design share many characteristics with other Khmer monuments. Prasat Sdok Kok Thom is oriented towards the East, as are most Khmer temples. The complex is surrounded by moats and an outer wall. The East side of the wall contains a gopura or entrance gate. Outside of the wall is a water reservoir or baray.

A processional walkway flanked by pillars from the outer gopura leads to the inner sanctuary with the central prang (a Khmer style tower). The inner sanctuary is surrounded by galleries with a Gopura on the Eastern side providing access.

Inside the inner sanctuary is a single sand stone prang placed on a laterite base. The prang has doors on each of its sides, with only the Eastern door open, the other ones being fake doors, shut with stones. The prang likely contained the sacred linga, the symbol of the Hindu God Shiva.

Also inside the galleries, close to the central tower are two bannalai or libraries, where the ancient scriptures were kept. Various sculptures around the temple depict Nagas, a mythological serpent, some of which are wearing crowns. Another sculpture shows a reclining Vishnu.

Sdok Kok Thom was later converted into a Buddhist temple.

Prasat Sdok Kok Thom has been extensively restored in previous decades and brought back to a state to resemble the way it is believed to have looked.

An almost 1000 years old inscribed stele was found at Sdok Kok Thom which contains some of the most valuable text providing information about the ancient Khmer empire. Some of the text is written in ancient Khmer language, another part in Sanskrit.

The texts inscribed in the stele that is dated to the year 1052 have provided historians with a great deal of knowledge about Khmer history. The sculptures contain details about important events that took place during the 8th until 11th century.

The text provides detailed information about the family who constructed the temple and the services they provided to Khmer Kings over the course of many generations, and the construction of Sdok Kok Thom temple. It also describes common events from every day life during the Khmer era. The inscriptions pay homage to the Hindu God Shiva and contain details about religious rituals.

The temple is located in Sa Kaeo province in Northeast Thailand between the towns of Aranyaprathet and Ta Phraya, close to the border with Cambodia. Because of its remote location, Sdok Kok Thom is not easy to get to using public transportation so it’s best to drive or hire a car to take you there.

The temple has been restored nicely and it is really worth stopping and seeing. It’s remote so you will find yourself exploring this temple alone or with only a few other visitors.

Enjoy the video!

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