Ta Keo

Temple in Siem Reap

Ta-keo

Ta Keo or Prasat Ta Kêv is a temple-mountain in Angkor, Cambodia, possibly the first temple constructed entirely from sandstone by the Khmer Empire.

Table of Contents

The Site

Ta Keo was built as the state temple of King Jayavarman V, son of Rajendravarman, who also constructed Pre Rup. Similar to Pre Rup, Ta Keo features five sanctuary towers arranged in a quincunx, positioned on the highest level of a five-tier pyramid with overlapping terraces (a step pyramid), and surrounded by moats, symbolizing Mount Meru.

The temple’s imposing appearance is due to its lack of external decoration, as carving work was only beginning when construction ceased. It is considered a prime example of the Khleang style.

Layout

The main axis of Ta Keo runs east-west, with a 500-meter long causeway connecting the eastern entrance to a landing stage on the East Baray, highlighting the close relationship between the temple and the water reservoir. The outer moats, now vanished, once measured 255 meters by 195 meters.

The first terrace measures 122 meters by 106 meters and features a sandstone wall on a laterite base, which forms the outer enclosure. Two long galleries, roofed with wood and tiles, run along the east side, illuminated by balustrade windows.

The second terrace is 5.5 meters higher than the first. Each of the first two terraces has gopuras at the cardinal points, with three independent passages and a central tower with diminishing tiers.

A continuous gallery (1.4 meters wide) forms the inner enclosure of the second terrace. This gallery has windows only towards the interior and measures 80 meters by 75 meters. It is purely decorative, with no doors. This structure is one of the earliest examples of the Khmer gallery design, along with Phimeanakas. Unlike previous temples such as Pre Rup, which featured long buildings along the enclosures, Ta Keo’s gallery lacked a stone vault, suggesting that its roof may have been made of wood and tiles.

On the eastern side of the second terrace, at the corners, two smaller versions of the long galleries from the first terrace are found. Further along the central axis are two small sandstone “libraries,” which open to the west and feature false windows on their upper stories.

The final pyramid rises 14 meters in three narrow steps from the second terrace. The base measures 60 meters square, and the summit is 47 meters square, standing 21.5 meters above the ground. The steep stairways leading to the summit are continuous, and a statue of a kneeling Nandi (a bull, symbolizing Shiva) stands at the foot of the eastern stairway, confirming Ta Keo as a Shivaite temple. Though largely undecorated, the east face of the final pyramid has some damaged floral carvings.

The four corner towers on the summit stand on 0.8-meter-high basements, with vestibules opening to the four cardinal points. The central tower, which dominates the others from its 4-meter-high basement, has doubled vestibules. Fragments of lingas and statues were discovered in the sanctuary chambers (approximately 4 meters wide) and around the towers. The central tower rises to a height of 45 meters.

History

King Jayavarman V began construction of Ta Keo around 975, at the age of 17, and the temple was dedicated around 1000. In contemporary inscriptions, it is referred to as Hemagiri or Hemasringagiri, meaning “the mountain with golden summits.” The construction was never completed, possibly due to a lightning strike hitting the temple or the death of Jayavarman V, leading to a succession struggle. However, Ta Keo remained in use as a cult center until the 13th century, and the high priest Yogisvarapandita continued to worship at its shrines.

The term Jayendranagari, which means “capital of the victorious king,” is often associated with the temple and may refer to the royal palace or a new capital city built by Jayavarman V. However, remains of this proposed capital are scarce, with only a tower in the southwest, resembling the corner towers of Ta Keo, surviving today. This tower is notable for having a single door to the south.

The Ta Keo appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Siem Reap!

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Visiting Ta Keo

Address: Ta Keo, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia

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