Angkor temples

Phimeanakas

Numerous kings were involved in the construction of the sandstone and laterite 'Celestial Palace' during the 10^th and 11^th centuries, located at the Royal Palace's centre and formerly crowned with a golden pinnacle.  Although poorly preserved, Tcheou Ta Kouan, an emissary of the Chinese Emperor in the late 13^th century, indicates that it was once completely gold-plated.

It is a Hindu temple in khleang style. .  It is small compared with others, but even so it has appeal and is situated in idyllic surroundings. The sanctuary itself is in a bad condition, the walls and stairways are slowly sagging. If you want to climb to the upper level better use the western stairway.

Excellent views from the summit.

Legend:

According to legend there was a gold tower (Phimeanakas ) inside the royal palace of Angkor the Great where a serpent-spirit with nine heads lived. Not even the wives of the King may enter the tower. The spirit appeared to the Khmer king disguised as a woman and the king had to sleep with her every night in the tower before he joined his wives and concubines in another part of the palace. If the king missed even one night it was believed he would die. In this way the royal lineage of the Khmer was perpetuated.

Such legends, while they need not be taken literally, may reflect a very old tradition of matrilineal clanship in Southeast Asia.