Experts claim the temple was built in the 9th century during the reign of Jayavarman II. Apsara National Authority
The director of the Apsara National Authority’s (ANA) department of conservation outside Angkor Archaeological Park Chhean Rotha said on Tuesday that his team has completed 80 per cent of the planned restoration of Kraham Temple.
Experts claim the temple was built in the 9th century during the reign of Jayavarman II.
He said the team has excavated areas in search of sculptures and art pieces as well as cleared plants and trees from the walls and roof of the temple.
They’ve also repaired parts of the walls and roof, but Rotha said he will need to request a second round of renovations to fully complete the work.
The main goals of the second project, he said, are to fully repair the temple’s roof and repair additional artwork found around the temple.
He also wants to repair the temple’s lingam and yoni, a symbolic religious structure which pays homage to the Hindu god Shiva and represents the unity of the male and female essence.
“The Kraham temple is extremely dilapidated. The team cleaned the inside and outside of the temple area, removed the plants, cut down trees and began to repair the temple.
“After that, we repaired the wall and all the sculptures in the temple. Overall, we have achieved over 80 per cent of the work. After the completion of this project, we will continue to repair other temples in Phnom Kulen,” Rotha said.
Apsara technical repair official Leu Chan Nora, said on Tuesday that the Kraham Temple is a sandstone brick building dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
It is located at Phnom Kulen National Park, 370m above sea level and 14km from the Giant Buddha statue. The site is home to two temples – Kraham Temple I and Kraham Temple II.
Before the renovation, Chan Nora said Kraham Temple I was partially destroyed by trees and roots which grew into its structure. Its roofs and walls were dilapidated and the temple’s bricks were corroded by age and weather.
Past excavations, which had been carried out with the intent of stealing parts of the temple, had damaged its foundations which supported the lingam and yoni. Parts of the lingam and yoni were scattered on the ground.
Rodents and other animals had also started to live within the crevices of the temple.
“All these factors created an urgent need for repair in order to restore it,” Chan Nora said.
