Prasat Mueang Tam

Located at the foot of an extinct volcano near the border with Cambodia . At the top of this mountain is another, more famous, complex of temples of Phanom Rung .

Mueang Tam was built between the X and XI centuries in the style of Angkor Wat during the heyday of the Khmer Empire , when Thailand was part of it. Its location is due to travel from Angkor Thoma (present Siem Reap in Cambodia) to Phhimai (in the province of Nakhon Ratchasima , Thailand). The temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva and has been functioning for three centuries, after which it fell into decay.

In the north of Muang Tama is a barn (artificial reservoir, reservoir) 1000 m long and 500 wide. It symbolizes the ocean surrounding Mount Meru - the center of the universe according to Hindu cosmology.

The Muang Tam complex has a square shape similar to yantra and mandala . Compared to other Khmer temple complexes, it is quite small. The walls are made of laterite stone. Gates are arranged in the center of each side, among which the eastern ones serve as the main entrance. Within the complex there are four L-shaped ponds with steps leading directly to the water. Five-headed naga are installed at the corners of the reservoirs. Ponds symbolize the ocean around Mount Meru.

A wide street leads to the inner sanctuary, in which Hindu ceremonies were held. It is enclosed by a square gallery with three aisles with gopurams . The gallery symbolizes the borders of Jambwoodvipi - the continent on which people live according to Hindu cosmology. The lintels over the passages to the sanctuary have preserved in good condition the carved bas-reliefs of the 10th century that depict Shiva, Uma and other characters of Hindu mythology.

The sanctuary houses five prang towers (four small and one central large) made of sandstone on a low platform. The central prang, symbolizing Mount Meru, has not been preserved. There was also a library where Hindu scriptures were kept.

The nearest town, Nang Rong, is 40 km away. There are hotels in the city and it is also possible to rent a motorbike.

The nearest modern city of Buriram is located 70 kilometers away. It is difficult to reach the temple by public transport, so you can visit it only as part of tourist groups, or by your own car. In Buriram, you can buy a tour to Mueang Tam at any hotel. The temple complex is open from 6 am to 6 pm, the ticket price is 100 baht .

• Freeman, Michael. A Guide to Khmer Temples in Thailand and Laos . Weatherhill, 1998.

• Anuvit Charoensupkul "Design and Symbolism of Prasat Muang Tarn, Northeastern Thailand" // spafajournal.org
• Muang Tum. Preserved ancient Khmer the Well temple complex // renown-travel.com