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

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THE LOFTY SANCTUARY OF KHAO PI-IRA VIHAR
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number of Courts and Gopnras, as was common in the early classic
style, in contradistinction to the at•t·tmgement of concentric enclosures
of the later Angkor Wat period.
The monnment is characterised
by the perfection. of its edifices which are carved in that reddish
brown sand-stone so dear lo the architects of the period.
The length of the ensemble is 850 metres and it is composed
of three courts with their entrance pavilions, and t.wo separate
gopnras.
imposing stairways.
All are on different levels and separated by avenues and
From the lowest point of entry at the north,
i.e., the fit·st step of tbe main st.nirwar, to the level of the principal
sanctuary in Court I there is a rise of 120.3 metres. 'l'he compass
shows the position of the monument as facing magnetic north and
not the geographic pole. In the impot·tant ceremony to determine
the posHion nf the sanctuary in relation to the cardimll points, it
would appear as if a compass had been ns(•d, altlmngh the deviation
from true now recorded. may he due to altered conditions in the
intervening period. It it~, of course, well known that the cornpa~:~s
was in common use in the Far EB:st by the end of the 3rd centnry
A.D., indeerl, Chine.se hisLorians ascribe its discovery to a period long
before thig time.
'l'he grandeur of the approaeh lies in the long steep stairway
with large stone blocks on either side in the J'orm of giant steps.
Before entering the causeway of Nagas, that mythical and semi-divine
but. graceful motive nsed with great effect hy the Kbmet·s, the
stairway narrows, but the total widt.h is maintained.
Some of the
stairs are cut from virgin rock while others are qnarried from nearby
rock sit.es. 'l'he blocks of the giant steps are recessed on their
fac:e.
This simple ornamentation softens the hard effect of the stontl
mass iu front of you although the staircase as a whole achieves
the grand effect of the "heavenly" approach.
The lion, never known lo inhabit the Indo-Chinese peninsula,
is used at Phra Vihar as a guardian of the entrance to the stair
and door ways of the two gopnras or pavilions, through which a11
must pass on thei1· way to the gallel'ies, cotll'ts and sanctuary tower
on the upper levels.
'fwo distinct designs were observed, one with
front legs in a st.anding position and rear legs half crouching, the
other, unusual in Khmer architecture, had a mane and was in full