Prasat Phanom Wan Nakhon Ratchasima

Prasat Phanom Wan, located approximately 15 kilometers northeast of Nakhon Ratchasima city, represents an important 11th-century Khmer Shiva temple that served as a regional religious center along the ancient highway connecting Phimai to Angkor. The temple complex, constructed during the Baphuon period in the 11th century CE, is dedicated to Shiva, with the main prasat housing a massive lingam pedestal and evidence of extensive ritual activity. The complex features a rectangular laterite enclosure wall measuring 102 by 128 meters, accessed through a single eastern gopura that leads to the inner courtyard containing the main prasat and two libraries. The main prasat, constructed from pink sandstone and laterite, rises 20 meters and features a square plan with four porches extending in cardinal directions, though only the eastern porch remains substantially intact. The temple’s lintels and pediments, carved from pink sandstone, depict scenes from Hindu mythology, including Shiva’s cosmic dance, the churning of the ocean of milk, and various deities, though many have been damaged or removed over centuries. The complex includes two libraries positioned east of the main prasat, numerous subsidiary shrines, and evidence of a sophisticated drainage system. Archaeological evidence indicates the temple served as both a religious center and waypoint for travelers on the ancient highway. The site has undergone partial restoration since the 1980s, involving structural stabilization and conservation of remaining decorative elements. Today, Prasat Phanom Wan remains an important site for understanding Khmer temple architecture and the network of religious centers connecting regional sites to Angkor, attracting visitors interested in its historical significance and architectural features. ([1][2])