Si Khoraphum 4

Surin Province, Thailand

Detail of a multi-headed carving of a Naga, a divine, cobra-like creature in Buddhist and Hindu mythology, on a corner.


' PRASAT SIKHORAPHUM

Location: Tambol Ban Ra-ngang, Si Khoraphum District, Surin Province

The compound of the temple is surrounded by a U-shape pond measured about 111x125 meters leaving an entrance on the east. The five brick Prang structures were built on the same laterite base that had a dimension of about 25 x 26 x 1.50 meters. The principle structure is situated in the middle and its four satellites are at each corners of the base. Decorated sandstone lintle at the entrance of the principle structure was carved with the scenes of Shiva Nataraja and miniature scenes of Brahma, Ganesh, Vishnu and U Ma. The plastres that flanked the door frame were also carved with the scenes of Apasara and Davarapal (guardian). The styles of decorative motifs resemble the Angkorian Baphuan and Angkor Vat style (11th-12th century).

This temple was dedicated to Hinduism and would have been built in the 12th century. In the 16th century it was renovated and converted into a Buddhist temple evidenced by the roof structure of the prangs.'


(grammer and spelling is retained for the sake of accuracy to the original text)

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