Ta Keo

Ta Keo is a stark, undecorated temple that undoubtedly would have been one the finest of Angkor's structures. It is said to be an incomplete temple in Khleang style built as the state temple by Jayavarman V, it was dedicated to Hindu God of Shiva.

Ta Keo standing east of the Victory Gate of Angkor Thom, Ta Keo is a symbolic depiction of Mount Meru, home of the Hindu gods. The temple is oriented toward the east. Enclosed by two walls, it was the first Angkorian monument built entirely of sandstone in a zigurrat style. The summit of the central tower, which is surrounded by four lower towers, is almost 50m high. At that level, five towers are arranged with one at each of four corners and one at the center, this is being a typical of many Angkorian temple-mountains.

As of today, no one is certain why work as never completed, but it is believed that likely cause may have been the death of Jayavarman V. However, some scholars have also attributed it to an inauspicious lightning strike during construction.