Neak Pean

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The central pond at Neak Pean
The central pond at Neak Pean

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 Prah Khan baray (the "Jayatataka" of the inscription).[1]

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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.[2] Neak Pean was originally designed for medical purposes, as it is one of the many hospitals Jayvarman the seventh built. It is based on the ancient Hindu belief of balance. Four connected pools represent the Water, Earth, Fire, Wind. The ancients believe that going in these pools would balance the elements in you, thus curing your disease. In the middle of the four healing ponds is the central water source. There is a statue of Bahala (Bodisavatta Guan Yin transformed into a horse), as a symbol of drowning prevention.

  1. ^ http://www.theangkorguide.com/cgi-bin/MasterFrameReunion.cgi?http%3A//www.theangkorguide.com/text/part-two/large-circuit/neakpean.htm
  2. ^ http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/angkor/neakpeanindex.htm

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Angkorian Sites edit
Angkor Angkor Thom | Angkor Wat | Bakong | Baksei Chamkrong | Banteay Kdei | Banteay Samré | Banteay Srei | Baphuon | The Bayon | Chau Say Tevoda | East Baray | East Mebon | Kbal Spean | The Khleangs | Krol Ko | Lolei | Neak Pean | Phimeanakas | Phnom Bakheng | Phnom Krom | Prasat Ak Yum | Prasat Kravan | Preah Khan | Preah Ko | Preah Palilay | Preah Pithu | Pre Rup | Spean Thma | Srah Srang | Ta Prohm | Ta Som | Ta Keo | Terrace of the Elephants | Terrace of the Leper King | Thommanon | West Baray | West Mebon | Yasodharapura
Rest of Cambodia Banteay Chhmar | Beng Mealea | Koh Ker | Prasat Preah Vihear
Thailand Lopburi | Phanom Rung | Muang Tum | Phimai | Mueang Sing
Laos Wat Phou | Oum Moung
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