Booking Partner Best Deal

East Mebon Temple

East Mebon Temple

  • Travel Location Siem Reap
  • The East Mebon is a 10th Century temple at Angkor, Cambodia. Built during the reign of King Rajendravarman, it stands on what was an artificial island at the center of the now dry East Baray ...

OVERVIEW

East Mebon is a large temple-mountain-like ruin, rising three levels and crowned by five towers. Jayavarman IV, a usurper, moved the capital from Angkor to Koh Ker in 928AD. Sixteen years later Rajendravarman II returned the capital to Angkor and shortly thereafter constructed East Mebon on an island in the middle of the now dry Eastern Baray. The temple is dedicated to Shiva in honor of the king’s parents. Inscriptions indicate that it was also built to help reestablish the continuity of kingship at Angkor in light of the interruption that occurred when the seat of power had been moved to Koh Ker. There is some scholarly debate as to whether East Mebon should be categorized as a temple-mountain. Inscriptions record activity as early as 947AD, but the temple was not consecrated until 952AD.

Video Travel Inspiration

The East Mebon(Khmer: ប្រាសាទមេបុណ្យខាងកើត) is a 10th Century temple at Angkor, Cambodia. Built during the reign of King Rajendravarman, it stands on what was an artificial island at the center of the now dry East Baray reservoir.

The East Mebon was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and honors the parents of the king. Its location reflects Khmer architects’ concern with orientation and cardinal directions. The temple was built on a north-south axis with Rajendravarman’s state temple, Pre Rup, located about 1,200 meters to the south just outside the baray. The East Mebon also lies on an east-west axis with the palace temple Phimeanakas, another creation of Rajendravarman’s reign, located about 6,800 meters due west.

Built in the general style of Pre Rup, the East Mebon was dedicated in 953 AD. It has two enclosing walls and three tiers. It includes the full array of durable Khmer construction materials: sandstone, brick, laterite and stucco. At the top is a central tower on a square platform, surrounded by four smaller towers at the platform’s corners. The towers are of brick; holes that formerly anchored stucco are visible.

The sculpture at the East Mebon is varied and exceptional, including two-meter-high free-standing stone elephants at corners of the first and second tiers. Religious scenes include the god Indra atop his three-headed elephant Airavata, and Shiva on his mount, the sacred bull Nandi. Carving on lintels is particularly elegant.

Visitors looking out from the upper level today are left to imagine the vast expanses of water that formerly surrounded the temple. Four landing stages at the base give reminder that the temple was once reached by boat.

REQUEST FOR TOUR
 
 

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR BUS TICKETS, HERE YOU CAN BOOK IN ADVANCE

Popular Package Tours in Siem Reap

Angkor National Museum

from Siem Reap

Half-Day

Angkor National Museum

Angkor National Museum takes pride in revealing the royal historical path of this Golden Era of the Khmer Kingdom through state of the art multimedia technology to provide visitors a full pictorial ...

Quad Bike Countryside Tour

from Siem Reap

Full-Day

Quad Bike Countryside Tour

Get off road and navigate the rugged terrain of the hills surrounding Siem Reap on this discovery tour by quad bike. Enjoy the thrill of rolling through epic landscapes as you get an up close look at ...

Off-Road Bike Angkor Wat Sunrise

from Siem Reap

Full-Day

Off-Road Bike Angkor Wat Sunrise

Siem Reap Dirt Bikes offers 'off the beaten track' motorbike adventure tours in the most remote areas of Cambodia, taking you to places others don't go! Siem Reap Dirt Bikes organized and ran our ...

Tonle Sap Floating Village - Sunset Dinner Tour

from Siem Reap

Half-Day

Tonle Sap Floating Village - Sunset Dinner Tour

Enjoy a stunning sunset dinner on the great Tonle Sap Lake aboard the magnificent Queen Tara, the biggest boat on the lake. Visit the floating village and see the local schools, shops, fishermen and ...

Siem Reap Small-Group Flavor of Khmer Street Food Tour

from Siem Reap

3 Hours, Evening

Siem Reap Small-Group Flavor of Khmer Street Food Tour

Enjoy a local khmer cuisine in Siem Reap on this 3-hour small-group walking tour. Soak up the atmosphere at the night market, learn more about Cambodian cuisine and culture, and sample an array of ...

Cambodia Best Trekking Tour with Mekong River

from Siem Reap

15 Days

Cambodia Best Trekking Tour with Mekong River

This trip is one of the best trekking in Cambodia to discover the life of people along the Mekong river, visit the hill tribe people in the northeast, nature and National Park, visit to the community ...

 

Book Hotels in Siem Reap with our Top Pick!

Nita by Vo Angkor Resort

Siem Reap

Motherhome Inn

Siem Reap

Golden Temple Residence

Siem Reap

Sokkhak Boutique Resort

Siem Reap

The Khmer House - Secret Oasis

Siem Reap

Sunvy Angkor Villa Boutique

Siem Reap

 

Recommended Cambodia Tour Themes

Couldn't find suitable trip for you? Let us help you!

Being the locals, we know the true value of our land. We always listen and arrange everything as your desire. Please kindly send us whatever about your trip,we will send you best offers quickly.

Flag Counter