History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v2.c33.s15.3

v2.c33.s15.3

Of simpler types of the pyramidal temple, the example on the hill of Bakheng, south of Angkor Thom, is interesting, owing to the small towers, thirty-six in number, built within the first enclosure and outside the central pyramid; constructed originally to locate a statue, such as remain are utilised now as columbaria in which the ashes of parents are deposited. The pyramid consists of five platforms, on each of which are small circular turrets about 15 ft. high; on the upper platform was a cruciform sanctuary of importance, but now in such a state of ruin that its plan cannot be well determined. In the temple of Ta Kêo, east of Angkor Thom, there are two enclosures, the inner one with corridor and tower on each side of the entrance gopura, and in the centre a pyramid of three storeys with a lofty sanctuary and four other towers. The symmetrical arrangement of the towers in this temple and in those at Bakheng and the similarity of design show that all date from the same period, and that they were probably built as memorial structures.