Tokyoahead - The monks of the Preah Palilay Temple, Angkor, Cambodia

Preah Palilay is one of the smallest temples in Angkor, but also one of the most post-card fit buildings in the area. Its compact size, tall stature and typical overgrowth by three tall trees is underlined by a surrounding of mossy rubble and dense forest around a clearing, not to mention the monks in their saffron robes in the area...


The surrounding of the temple is not really spectacular, but offers its very own qualities in quietness and simplitude. The protecting Lions are quite well preserved, the lawn around and the moss-grown stones are giving the place its very own athmosphere.

Here are three shots from this beautiful place: One from the front, up the central stairs which are overgrown with trees. The second and third shot are the sides you are most likeley to approach from the clearing.

There are almost no tourists here, the place is not widely mentioned in the guidebooks, but a visit where you can see monks and at this special occasion two musicians (playing not exactly local instruments though) make it almost creepy.

The overgrowth with roots is very beautiful. It blends in very much and does look like two things belonging together. The roots seem to hold the temple together much more than destroying it.

There is a smaller side-building that cannot be accessed since stabilizing wooden beams block the entrances. However, the carvings visible outside are very detailed and one recognizes the patterns and faces that you can see in many other places also.

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The monks of the Preah Palilay Temple, Angkor, Cambodia

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