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

'i'i-iE Lot~·h SANCTUARY OF KHAo PHRA VII-IAR
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The galleries, including t.!Jeir corbelled arch roof of sandstone,
are well preserved. Interior windows are the only source of light,
but doorways pierce the outer walls leatling to the annexes (F & G)
and the cliff. The brick roof of the blilHl gopnra has collapsed,
bnt the same type of roof on the telescopie ends of the gopura, whieh
joins the east and west galleries is in a better state of repair.
Parmentier has recor!lecl that the blind gopura was used as the rice
harn of the monument. While there appears no defiiJ.ite proof
of this, it may well have been the case due to the remoteness of the
sanctuary. 'l'he nnmber of people who were associated with it in
its heyday of fame Rnrely made it, necessary to store large
q nantities of grain.
It is a striking characteristic of' the ensemble, apart from its
orientation towards the north, that on t,he east-favoured by tradi tiou
-there are a number of features not common to the west. For
instance, on the annexel:l situated on either l:lide of Court I, the
architect has favoured the eastern building with a more elaborate
design. From the vantage point of the east annex the view is
second only to the wonderful panorama looldng south. Both these
buildings are now in a ruined state though possibly at one time
they were nsed for the performance of devotional rites by the king
and for ritual ablutions and dances.
About one kilorneter to the N.E., aligned north and south,
are two unusual chedi-like stmetnres built with some care using
ltll'ge blocks of rough yel1ow sandstone. Local legend has it that
they were used as treasure store-houses and associated with Khao
Phra Vihar. 'l'here are, however, no supporting facts to connect
these p·ra.srtts with the temple. 'l'he design is unknown elsewhere
and nothing exists that would indicate a construction date: · One
sandstone block has been removed showing the inside to be empty.
In appearance tlrey have a square base with a simple cup-shaped
design, above and below a square pedestal 2 metres high. As if to
crown· the 'monument tho masonry