Neak Pean Temple at Angkor Wat
The central sanctuary of Neak Pean.
Neak Pean is perhaps the most unique temple in the Angkor complex. It was built in the second half of the 12th century as part of a complex that includes Preah Khan. The sanctuary sits on a round stepped base, which sits in the middle of a square man-made pond 70 meters (230 feet) on each side. Four smaller ponds surround the main lake. Small vaulted chapels back onto each side of the larger pond. Within these chapels the head of animal or human forms a water spout leting water from the large pond flow into the smaller ones.
With all the water symbolism, it should be no surprise that Neak Pean was a place of pligrimage, where people would come to "wash away their sins." Recent studies seem to suggest that the temple served a physical as well as symbolic purpose. It appears to have been a sort of hospital, with places for people to stay and receive treatment.
Image ©Google Earth and others.
Neak Pean Photo Gallery
For more images of Neak Pean, including the gargoyles of each chapel, see the photo gallery at my Chieng Fa Travel Journal.