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Angkor Travel
Guide
Mebon
(West)
Prasat Mebon (east)
is located four kilometres
(2.4miles) west of Angkor Thom. The
south dyke of the West Baray, take a
boat to the island in the center;
walk to the east entrance of the
temple. It was built in second half
of the 11th century by
Udayadityavarman II, probably
dedicated to Visnu (Hindu), with
following to Prasat Baphuon art
style.
Background
The West Mebon is situated at the
center of an artificial lake on a
circular island with a diameter of
about 150 meters (492 feet).
Layout
The base for the temple was a
square. A sandstone platform at the
center is linked to a causeway of
laterite and sandstone that leads to
the east dyke. The West Mebon was
originally surrounded by a square
enclosure with three-square
sandstone entry towers and a
sanctuary on the East Side is
reasonably intact. The sides of the
towers are carved with lively
animals set in small squares, a type
of decoration found only at the
Baphuon. Tip: Walk along the
shoreline and look back at the
island to see heaps of stones from
the collapsed areas.
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