Overview

• Late 10th-Early 11th Century
• Religion: Hindu
• Patron: Jayavarman V
• Style: Kleang

Purpose

This was the state temple of Jayavarman V, and was dedicated to Shiva.

Significance

This is one of the first temple mountains built entirely from sandstone. If it had been finished, it would have been one of the more impressive monuments at Angkor.

History

While 25 years of work was undertaken at Ta Keo, the temple was never finished. Some think this was due to the death of the king, others because the temple was struck by lightning during construction, which was taken as a bad omen.

Description

Ta Keo is a three-tiered pyramid topped by five towers, meant to represent Mt. Meru . This square pyramid is contained within in a rectangular enclosure of two concentric walls, entered through gopuras at each cardinal point. The compound is further encircled by moats.