Phnom Bakheng Temple, Siem Reap

Phnom Bakheng, situated within the Angkor complex, is a Hindu temple designed in the style of a temple mountain. It is dedicated to the deity Shiva and was constructed during the late 9th century, under the rule of King Yasovarman (889-910). Positioned on a hill, it has become a popular destination for tourists seeking panoramic sunset views of the larger Angkor Wat temple, which is located approximately 1.5 kilometers to the southeast. However, the high volume of visitors poses a significant threat to the preservation of Phnom Bakheng, making it one of Angkor's most endangered monuments.

Historians believe that Phnom Bakheng served as the primary temple of the Angkor region during its heyday, more than two centuries before the construction of Angkor Wat. It played a central role in the establishment of a new capital city called Yasodharapura, which King Yasovarman founded when he relocated the royal court from the previous capital, Hariharalaya, situated to the southeast in the Roluos area.

Phnom Bakheng symbolically represents Mount Meru, the abode of Hindu gods, accentuated by its location atop a steep hill. The temple is oriented towards the east and has a base measuring 76 meters square. Its architectural design takes the form of a six-tiered pyramid. At the highest tier, there are five sandstone sanctuaries arranged in a quincunx pattern—one at the center and one at each corner of the square on this level. Originally, the temple was surrounded by 108 small towers at ground level and on various tiers, but most of these have since collapsed.