Wat Ku Phra Kona กู่พระโกนา - 11th Century Khmer To Modern Buddhist Temple - Roi Et Thailand 2024

Ku Phra Ko Na กู่พระโกนา

The largely intact 3 towered, 11th-century sanctuary, located in the southern region of the province and accompanied by a substantial-sized baray to the east, (Baray Ku Phra Ko Na), indicate the site was one of some importance.

The 3, east-facing, brick shrines are positioned on a laterite and sandstone platform with an enclosing wall and traces of four gopuras.

The central shrine was renovated in the 19th century and given a coat of stucco, the northern tower is partially collapsed and is covered by a roof to prevent further damage. Only the southern tower retains something of its original appearance. Most of the sandstone door frames and lintels, and even a pediment, remain on site.

The reliefs are likely to be early to mid 11th century in a Khleang or Baphuon style.

The northern tower features a large, double-register lintel depicting a reclining Vishnu with a now missing deity seated upon Kala below. A small, damaged pediment above the lintel appears to represent a scene from the Ramayana.

A second in-situ lintel above a false door of the north tower is badly eroded. One of the gopuras features an in-situ lintel in a typical Khleang style with a deity, Yama or Vishvakarma, also seated on Kala, while reliefs now found on the ground include Shiva on Nandi. An unfinished, presumably later, reclining Buddha is also on the ground near the southern tower.

Additional carved sandstone elements include colonettes, columns and false doors.

Traces point to a causeway that originally existed linking the site with its baray 300 m east.

The temple is a small site but interesting to see if you are in the area. The renovations are not the best you will see but there are some nice stone carvings that are worth seeing.

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