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Prasat Muang Tam, Buriram Province, Isaan, Thailand

Prasat Muang Tam
The temple precinct is located in Prakhon Chai District ( Amphoe ) of Buri Ram Province , about 6 kilometers south-east of Khao Phanom Rung Historical Park .The temple grounds are surrounded by a square wall, which is punctuated by gateways ( gopuram ) in the four cardinal directions . The east gate is designed as the main entrance. Inside the temple there are four symmetrically L-shaped water basins in the corners, to which steps lead down. These pools are surrounded by a low sandstone wall, shaped as the bodies of five -headed nagas . Through artistically designed gates on the front sides of the pools, the pilgrim can enter the steps to the water.

In the middle of the outer courtyard lies the central sanctuary, which in turn is surrounded by an inwardly open gallery. The inner sanctuary can be entered through four smaller gopurams. The eastern gopuram is flanked on the inside by two "bannalai" (roughly: libraries). The central sanctuary is a symmetrical quincunx arrangement of brick prangs meant to symbolize Mount Meru with its five peaks.

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Filename: Khmer-Empire053.jpg
Image Size: 6016x4016 / 12.3MB; www.jeremyhorner.com; Prasat Muang Tam Buriram Province Isaan Thailand
Contained in galleries: SIAM - The Buddhist Kingdoms, KHMER EMPIRE

Prasat Muang Tam<br />
The temple precinct is located in Prakhon Chai District ( Amphoe ) of Buri Ram Province , about 6 kilometers south-east of Khao Phanom Rung Historical Park .The temple grounds are surrounded by a square wall, which is punctuated by gateways ( gopuram ) in the four cardinal directions . The east gate is designed as the main entrance. Inside the temple there are four symmetrically L-shaped water basins in the corners, to which steps lead down. These pools are surrounded by a low sandstone wall, shaped as the bodies of five -headed nagas . Through artistically designed gates on the front sides of the pools, the pilgrim can enter the steps to the water.<br />
<br />
In the middle of the outer courtyard lies the central sanctuary, which in turn is surrounded by an inwardly open gallery. The inner sanctuary can be entered through four smaller gopurams. The eastern gopuram is flanked on the inside by two "bannalai" (roughly: libraries). The central sanctuary is a symmetrical quincunx arrangement of brick prangs meant to symbolize Mount Meru with its five peaks.