Neak Pean Temple

“COILED SERPENT”
‘Raja-Srei’
Location: East of “Preah Khan” temple 300 meters from the road.
Access: Enter and leave it from the north entrance.
Date: Second half of the 12th century and the beginning of the 13th century.

King: Jayavarman 7th “mahaparasangata pasa”
Religion: Buddhism.
Art-style: Bayon.
-Clearance work by (Mr. Henri Marchal 1922-1924.
-Anastylosis: By (Mr.Maurice Glaize 1936-1944.
1, Background
Neak Pean was located at the center of the Bayon Jayatataka (900 meters wide by 3500 meters long). The temple situated on the same axis of Preah Khan. It stood on an artificial island (350 meters for each side) which supported by laterite-steps and furnished with staircases. An earth embankment (340 meters for each side0 enclosed the temple. Small elephants were found at the corners but now remain nothing (Said Mr. Henri Marchal 1916-1933). Neak Pean is a small temple and had a collection of 5 ponds it offers a delightful visit of its special unique feature. It is believed to have been consecrating to Buddha coming to the glory Nirvana. According to (Mr. George Sodés, Mr. Finot, Mr. Vitor Goloubew) could identified the central pool as “Ana vata pata Lake” mythical saint place in the Himalayas (India) situated at the top of the universe. The lake gave birth to the 4 great rivers of the earth “Ganges, Pamapudra, Saravati, and Mythical River”. These rivers are (25 meters for each side) that represented at Neak Pean by the sculpted gargoyles corresponding to the 4 points or 4 elements (earth, wide, fire and water). Anavatapata was fed by hot springs and venerated in India for the curative powers of its water. The orientation of neak Pean for the priests and the pilgrims to clean their stains or blemish off and lead them to the supreme perfections.

2, Layout
The large square man-made pond is (70 meters for each side) bordered by steps and surrounded by 4 smaller square ponds. A small circular sandstone island comprised (15 meters in diameter) with a stepped base of 7 sandstone levels (3.50 meters high) supported the main tower which had 3 levels and decorated by lotus flower on the top. It formerly opened to the east but the three sides are walled up by Lokesvara images small elephants sculpted in the corners. The pediments of the tower had different scenes of Buddha’s life.
*East pediment: The cutting of his hair.
*West pediment: Buddha protected by Musolinda serpent.
*North pediment: The great departure of Buddha.
*South pediment: Buddha meditated under the Buddha tree.
The main tower was twisted by a large fir tree but was swept down by hurricane in (1935) and subsequently reconstructed by Mr. Maurice Glaize in 1938. Mr. Henri Marchal (French man) cleaned the whole temple in 1922-1924.

3, Central Tower
The bodies of 2 serpents (Nanda & Upananda) encircled the base of the island and their tails entwined on the west side. It’s the configuration that gives the name of the temple Neak Pean. The principal feature in the pond of the main tower is a sculpted horse (Balaha) swimming towards the tower with figures clinging to its side. The horse is a manifestation of Avalokesvara who is transformed himself into a horse to rescue Simhala a merchant and his companions of misfortune. They were shipwrecked on an island off Sri-lanka and snatched by female ogres with a long beak.

4, 4 Small buildings
The 4 buildings served as an ablution place where pilgrims could clean their stain or blemish off. They anointed themselves with holy water which flowed from the waterspout that connected to the cetral pond. Each waterspout is different.
*North: The head of the elephant.
*South: The head of the lion.
*East: The head of the man.
*West: The head of the horse.
The ceilings of these buildings had vaulted roofs which decorated with the lotus motifs.
(Writing by kealy e-mail: kealy.driver@gmail.com)