Kahkay [1] , or Kokhker [2] ( Khmer. ប្រាសាទ កោះ កេរ ) is a city and an ancient temple complex in Cambodia , located 90 km northeast of Angkor , in the province of Preahvihea , in the district of Kulen.
| Temple complex | |
| Kahkai | |
|---|---|
 Mount Prasatprang Temple Kahkay Complex | |
| A country |  Cambodia |
| Region | Preahvihea Province, Kulen County |
During the reign of Jayavarman IV (921–941) was the capital of the Khmer Empire , the earlier name was Lingapur or Chokgarjiar . The total area of about 35 km². There were many buildings in Kakhkai, but only ruins remained of many. Of the surviving buildings in Kahkai: Prasatthom, Prasatkrahom and Mount Prasatprang Temple.
Content
- 1 History
- 2 Description
- 3 Central complex
- 4 Transport and visit
- 5 notes
History
At the beginning of the X century, the capital of the Khmer empire was Yashodharapura , in the place now known as Angkor . Yashodharapura was built by Tsar Yashovarman I , its center was Mount Pnombakhaeng Temple . After his death, the kingdom passed to his children, first to Harshavarman I (910–923), and then to Ishanavarman II (923–928). At the end of the reign of Harshavarman I, in 921, their maternal uncle Jayavarman IV made claims to the kingdom, and then left the capital and decided to create his own center of power 70 km to the north-east. Inheritance from father to son in the Khmer kingdoms was never obvious, the mother line also had weight (in Chenla, the sister's son could be the rightful heir). Jayavarman IV was the son of Mahendradevi , daughter of Indravarman I , and married his aunt Jayadevi , sister of Yashovarman I, so he could claim the throne.
The chosen place was called Chokgarjiar (“Island of Glory”), and the large city that was built in just two decades (since 921) was called in the inscriptions of Lingapur. The rivalry of the two centers of power lasted until 928, and after the death of Ishanavarman II, Jayavarman IV became the sole ruler of the empire .
Jayavarman IV was succeeded by his son Harshavarman II , whose rule was very short: from 941 or 942 to 944, Harshavarman II ruled from Kakhkay, but his successor Rajendravarman II (944-968) moved the capital back to the place of Angkor .
Description
Despite the short period when Kakhkay was the capital, the number of buildings and places of worship in this area is significant. The core consists of a city with an external fence with a side of 1200 m: in the internal fence there is a temple, which today is called Prasatth (the "great temple"). Several dozens of other small temples are located on the territory of 7 km to 5 km. The temple complex itself to this day is considered unexplored. The pyramid has seven steps, the number seven in the Buddhist religion is a sacred number, which means the transition from time to non-existence.
To the south of the main temple is a large reservoir, the Rakhal barn (1188 m by 548 m, now dried up), which was fed by the waters of the Styngsen River, which divides the temples of the northern and southern groups.
Central Complex
The entire complex is dominated by the seven-step pyramid of the Prasatth temple, 32 m high and 55 m side. Garuda , carved on a stone block, guards the top of the pyramid. According to estimates by Henri Parmantier , the colossal lingam , which, according to the inscriptions, was erected at the top, was to be at least 4 meters in size and weighing 24 tons. The wooden staircase through which visitors could climb to the top of the pyramid is now destroyed. In March 2014, a new staircase was built to the right of the main entrance.
Transport and Visits
In 2005, a toll road was built connecting Kahkai with Angkor via Bangmealea (110 km), so the complex can be reached in 3 hours from Siem Reap .
Notes
- ↑ Kahkai // Dictionary of geographical names of foreign countries / resp. ed. A.M. Komkov . - 3rd ed., Revised. and add. - M .: Nedra , 1986.- S. 156.
- ↑ Kahkai // Dictionary of geographical names of foreign countries / resp. ed. A.M. Komkov . - 3rd ed., Revised. and add. - M .: Nedra , 1986.- S. 176.