Ta Som (Tasaom, Khmer. ប្រាសាទតាសោម [ pra: sa: t ta: saom ]) is a small Buddhist temple in Angkor , Cambodia .
The temple is located on the eastern shore of the northern ram of Angkor, at some distance from the main Angkor complex, near the Neakpean (Niekpoan) temple. It was built at the end of the 12th century by Jayavarman VII and is most likely dedicated to his father, Dharanindravarman II , although there are versions that he is dedicated to one of his teachers [1] . Presumably, the original name of the temple is 'Gaurasrigajaratna', which means “the pearl of a gracious white elephant” [2] .
Scientists believe that in the days of Jayavarman VII the temple was a single ensemble, typical of the last phase of the Bayon period [3] . The design of the temple resembles Bantai Kdei or Ta Prohm . The outer fence of the temple is a perimeter of 240 by 200 meters and is now almost destroyed. The second fence is surrounded by a moat, and the inner perimeter is a rectangle measuring 30 by 20 meters [4] with four corner towers and four gates in the main directions. In the center of the perimeter is a freestanding prasat tower, as well as two libraries. There are no other structures in the temple. Historically, the main gate of the temple was the eastern gate [2] . The temple has false windows with shutters, small sculptures and floral ornaments characteristic of large temples of Angkorvat [3] . Above the outer gate of the temple towers of gopur made in the form of faces Avalokiteshvara [1] .
In the 1950s, the temple underwent a minor reconstruction [3] . In 1998, the preservation of the temple took up the team of the World Monument Fund [1] . Work carried out included the stabilization of fragile sculptures, the optimization of visitors' routes, the creation of a temple scheme [3] , and the training of local workers. Together, the territory of the temple was cleared, the four gates of the temple are open to the public [1] . The main gate is currently the western, as the eastern gate is overgrown with ficus [2] .
Literature
- Albanese, Marilia, Die Schätze von Angkor , National Geographic Art Guide, Hamburg, 2007.
- Freeman, Michael & Jacques, Claude: Ancient Angkor , River Books Ltd, Bangkok, 2006.
- Petrich, Martin H., Vietnam, Kambodscha und Laos. Tempel, Klöster und Pagoden in den Ländern am Mekong. DUMONT Kunst-Reiseführer, Ostfildern, 2008.
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 TA SOM TEMPLE Structural stabilization and site improvements at a Khmer temple (unavailable link) // World Monuments Fund
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 Timothy M Ciccone: Ta Som Temple, Angkor, Cambodia // Asian Historic Architecture
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 World Monuments Fund Project (WMF) (inaccessible link) // APSARA
- ↑ 1 2 Timothy M Ciccone: East Tower // Art and archeology