The Great City of Angkor Thom

Ta Prohm

Ta Prohm Roots at East Gopura: Taken in 2008

Ta Prohm

"This huge temple complex looks very similar to when it was first discovered. The high lichen covered walls are distorted by the movement of the earth beneath.

800 years of history lie twisted and broken, with sinister root systems of huge trees enveloping doors and windows in a stranglehold.

The distinction between organic and non-organic become blurred in the green pallor of light from the jungle canopy. The intensity of the jungle sounds here can be almost deafening"

I wrote this after my first visit in 2003. Ta Prohm and the temples have changed a lot in the last few years and visitor numbers have increased. In spite of this; Ta Prohm is one of the Wonders of Cambodia and is justifiably near the top of places to see here!

Millions of tourists now make their way through these once silent ruins. The sounds of the jungle is often now drowned out by the babble of voices and shriek of the disc cutters of the workmen cutting stone.

All in a good cause; but I do wish I could turn back the clock!

Ta Prohm Roots taken in 2002

Various Thumbnailed images of Ta Prohm

Twisted roots snake through the ruins

Ta Prohm east entrance

Ta Prohm West Gate

The famous East Gopura Trees from the other side

In search of a dinosaur
One of the mysteries of Angkor is a carved figure of a dinosaur which looks very like a stegosaurus. There is some speculation as to its origin.
I had seen photos of it and even a restaurant in Siem Reap Goodysaurus was named after it. Some say it was an original carving. I do not believe that that the ancient Khmers would have known about it. Was it carved by a temple restorer as a bit of a joke; or has Cambodia got the equivalent of the Scottish Loch Ness Monster?

I had never seen it so I asked my lead guide Ta Elit exactly where it was. He told me that it was situated in a quiet part of Ta Prohm and is easily missed by the casual visitor. With the aid of a detailed plan of the Temple, I found the carving on the east side of the West Gopura to the right of the entry tower. It certainly looked like a dinosaur and appeared very authentic.
I did some research; seeing fanciful accounts on the web of humans existing with dinosaurs that I found quite amusing. My conclusion is that it must be a Sumatran Rhino or even a Pangolin; which have a similar shape, and the spines must be vegetation or decoration.

Dave Perkes January 2007 (Temple Watch Article in Phnom Penh Post)

This tiny figure protected by tree roots, is hard to find!

An atmospheric corner of Ta Prohm

Ta Prohm the Future!

When the early 20^th Century temple restorers started work in Angkor, it was decided to leave the ruin of Ta Prohm un-restored to give an impression of what it was like to discover a lost temple. The fabulous tree roots and atmosphere has been one of Angkor’s major draw ever since. Safety considerations and visitor numbers have meant that restoration and maintenance were needed.

Repairs to the western entrance Gopura has now been finished and the western cruciform terrace with Naga Balustrade is on the way to completion. The well known tree with strangler fig over a doorway in the Central Sanctuary has been opened up to visitors with new walkway and fencing.

The new viewing platform at the famous East Gopura; will deter people crawling over the tree and carvings; however it is likely to upset photographers, who with patience could wait for the groups to go. With time, the wood will weather, so the platform will not be so noticeable.

Looking at what has been going on at the temple in the last few years; the principle of not restoring Ta Prohm has long since been abandoned; so how far should the temple restoration go?

Dave Perkes February 2009 (Temple Watch Article in Phnom Penh Post)

All images and text © Dave Perkes 2009 www.peaceofangkor.com
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