Bookmark and Share
Neak Pean
Highslide JS
Neak Pean / Image Credits
Neak Pean ("The entwined serpents") at Angkor, Cambodia is an artificial island with a Buddhist temple on a circular island in Preah Khan Baray built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. It is the "Mebon" of the Preah Khan baray (the "Jayatataka" of the inscription).The name is derived from the sculptures of snakes (Naga) running around the base of the temple structure.

Some historians believe that Neak Pean represents Anavatapta, a mythical lake in the Himalayas whose waters are thought to cure all illness. Neak Pean was originally designed for medical purposes, as it is one of the many hospitals that Jayavarman VII built. It is based on the ancient Hindu belief of balance. Four connected pools represent Water, Earth, Fire and Wind.

The ancients believed that going into these pools would balance the elements in the bather, thus curing disease. In the middle of the four healing ponds is the central water source. There is a statue of Bahala (Bodhisattva Guan Yin transformed into a horse), as a symbol of drowning prevention.

Neak Pean Photos


Please click on a thumbnail image to see larger photo.

Highslide JS
Neak Pean / Image Credits
Highslide JS
Neak Pean / Image Credits
Highslide JS
Neak Pean / Image Credits
Highslide JS
Neak Pean / Image Credits
Asia Travel|About Us|Contact Us|Terms of Use|Privacy Policy|Sitemap|Add links

Asiatravelphotos.com is an online Asia Travel Guide featuring city and country information, attractions, places to see, photos & videos, travel maps, and hotels information.
We provide all your information for entertainment, nightlife, restaurants, shopping, transport, airports, weather & climate information, travel advice, for all countries in Asia.
Asiatravelphotos.com is a division of Global Travel Bookings & Marketing Services, one of the world’s leading online travel & hotel booking companies.

The wikipedia article included on this page is licensed under the (CC-BY-SA)

Top Asia Destinations: Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

 
eXTReMe Tracker