Baksei Chamkrong

Baksei Chamkrong is one of the few brick edifices, a small Hindu temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and used to hold a golden image of him located southwest of the south gate of Angkor Thom in the immediate vicinity of Angkor. It was built dedicated to Yasovarman by his son, King Harsavarman. The temple was completed by Rajendravarman II. In the early 10th century, King Harshavarman erected five statues in this temple such as two of Shiva, one of Vishnu and two of Devi.

A multi-tiered Baksei Chamkrong is also well-proportioned though petite temple, it was once decorated with a covering of lime mortar. Like virtually all of the structures of Angkor, it opens to the east. This temple is one of the first temples constructed of durable material such as bricks and laterite and with decoration in sandstone. Much of the stucco on the surface of the temple has vanished. The main sandstone lintel is decorated with a fine carving of Indra (God of war) standing on his three-headed elephant namely Airavata. Garlands emanate from either side of Indra in the style current to the monument. There is an inscription on either side of the small doorway.