The Journal of the Siam Society Vol. XLIV, Part 1-2, 1956 - Khamkoo

John Black
4
On my last visit the plateau was reached jnst :~2
leaving Bangkok.
hours after
Bangkok-Ubol
Bangkok-Srisakes
Distance Table.
Sri sakes-Kantaralak
Kantar·alak-Khao Phra Villar
Kms.
575
515
G2.fl
47.5
Rail
Hail
Road
Road
'l'he passion for building sanctuaries ou isolated hills is
characteristic of the great religions of the east. Whether it be the
ancient and mystic Hinduism or the gentle and peaceable Bndrlhism,
one may see in many parts of the Asian mainland temples and
sanctuaries on hill and mountain top. I shon1cl like now t.o take
you, in imagination, using the illustration~ I have het·e, to the most
remarkable site for a temple in the whole of the lnllo-Chineso
peninsula on which stands the Lofty SancLnary of l'lna Villar.
A Description of The Monument*
Few have visited Khao Phra Vihftr and, a mneh smaller·
number still have recor·ded with any accuracy t.be many features
and architectural details of the mountain enserubh!, All, ltuwever,
agree with the words of Aymonier written over flO years ago in
his Le Oambodge, "Amongst all the temples of Kambuja the most
remarkable, without doubt, is that of Khao Phra Vihar". This
lofty temple crowns a sptn· of the Dangrek Range, some fiOO metres
above sea level and its position on the map is latibude u· -23'-20''
North and 1ongitnde 104"·-41' East. It is built lengthwise through a
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*I have adhered to the custom of numbering courts in the plan, starting at the
principal and wor~ing outward, i.e., in the case of Khao Phra Vihar from
south to north. The grand entrance, however, is from the north through two
entrance pavilions or gopuras, These are nurnbered from north to south.
The architectural plan shows a system of alphabetical lettering from south to
north, with a key, in the form of a table below the plan. These letters have
been used, within brackets, as an aid to interpret