Prasat Hin Khao Phanom Rung

Prasat Hin Khao Phanom Rung is a spectacular ancient Khmer sanctuary situated on Phanom Rung Massif, in Buriram province in Northeastern Thailand. The site is one of the most impressive archaeological parks in Thailand, and the largest Khmer temple complex that can be found in the Kingdom. The sanctuary built in the style of the Angkor, during the 10th until the 13th century, was constructed as a religious site Hinduism, where were worshiped Shiva and Vishnu. Temple was built on the top of hill, an extinct volcano, which symbolizes Mount Kailash, a sacred mountain of Hinduism, on the ancient Khmer road once linked Angkor, the capital of the Khmer Empire, to Phimai, in the present Nakhon Ratchasima province. In those days most of the region of Isan, located north of the mountains Dangrek, was part of the Khmer Empire and Phimai was an important city of the Empire, so to build a large paved artery connecting, now mostly covered by vegetation grown over the centuries. On the same artery it was also built the Prasat Mueang Tum, only 7 kilometers from Prasat Hin Phanom Rung. Phanom Rung was built in laterite and sandstone during the reign of Suryavarman I, whose lineage, Mahidharapura, was a native of Isan. The complex is in an excellent condition, having been restored recently with works that have lasted 17 years, opened on 21 May 1988 by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. In 2005, the temple was submitted to UNESCO for consideration as a future World Heritage Site. Access to the site is characterized by stairway, from the foot of the hill up to the top, which leads to a ceremonial walkway, the most impressive element of the park. The processional walkway, called Sao Nang Riang, is 160 meters long and paved with laterite blocks, bordered by seventy sandstone columns with tops of lotus buds. The walkway leads to the first of three Naga Bridge. The bridge, adorned with five-headed snakes face all four directions, represents the connection between heaven and earth. The Naga Bridge leads to the upper stairway, divided into five sets with terraces on the sides. The last terrace is more wide, with four small pools, and lead to the second Naga Bridge. It has the same shape as the first one, only smaller, and leads to the outer gallery. After the outer gallery one reaches the inner gallery, served as a wall around the principal tower, and divided in long and narrow rooms. The last gallery leads to the third Naga Bridge. This last bridge, another small copy of the first one, leads into the main inner sanctuary. Phanom Rung Sanctuary was constructed of pink sandstone in the rectangular plan. The entrances have pediments and lintels on top decorated with carvings of Hindu Shiva and Vishnu, and scenes from the epic Ramayana. The south entrance is guarded by a sandstone statue. Crossed an antechamber and the Antrala, you will reach the main tower, double porches lead out in all directions. The main tower, called Kanpakaruha Chamber, is 23 meters high and represents the Mount Meru, the centre of the Hindu universe. A smaller tower and the two brick towers, in the northeast and southwest, around the main one dates back to the 10th and 11th century, this are the oldest structures of Phanom Rung. The inner sanctuary also contains two Bannalai at southeast and northeast of the principal tower. The buildings are rectangular and have only one entrance, built in a later period, around the 13th century, and used as libraries where they were kept sacred Hindu scriptures.
Admission fee & Opening hours: The historical park is open daily from 06:00 until 18:00. Admission fee is 100 THB. It is also available a combo-ticket that allows access to the nearby Prasat Hin Mueang Tam, it costs 150 THB.
Getting there: Buriram is the closest city, located about 55 Km north of Phanom Rung Historical Park. To reach Buriram you can use plane, bus, train or private car. Currently only Nok Air operates flights from this airport, with the connection to Don Mueang Airport of Bangkok. Busses to Buriram from Bangkok leave from the Northern Mo Chit Terminal, with departures every hour, the trip takes about 6 hours and the ticket costs from 250 to 300 THB, depending on the class. Trains from Bangkok to Buriram depart from the Hua Lamphong Station, are less frequent of buses, ten per day, employing the usual time, and the cost is similar, more expensive classes with bunks for sleeping. To reach Park from Buriram, if not you have your own vehicle, the best way is to hire a taxi or songthaew for whole or half day, even if you wanted to use the bus service from Buriram this stop anyway in Nang Rong or Prakhon Chai and from these towns should however hire a songthaew.
Path Bangkok - Buriram - Historical Park: To reach Phanom Rung Historical Park from Bangkok follow Highway 1 until Saraburi, about 98 Km, fthen turn right into Highway 2, Thanon Mittraphap, towards Nakhon Ratchasima. At Amphoe Si Khew, 40 Km before Nakhon Ratchasima, turn right into Highway 24, which connects Nakhon Ratchasima to Ubon Ratchathani, and follow it for 138 Km until reaching Ban Tako Junction, then turn right onto Highway 2117 and proceed for 6 Km; when reaching Ban Ta Pek Junction, turn left onto Highway 2221 and follow it for another 6 Km to Phanom Rung Historical Park. Total distance from Bangkok 330 Km. Buriram it's located about 55 Km north of Phanom Rung Historical Park. The easy route from Buriram to reach park is follow the Highway 218 until the Highway 24, after turn left and proceed in the same way as described for those coming from Bangkok.Read More