Thailand Travel Pages - Prasat Phanom Rung Historic Park

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Prasat Phanom Rung Historic Park:

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Perched on the rim of an extinct volcano, Prasat Phanom Rung Historic Park is a jewel in the crown of Northeast Thailand. The fact that the park is situated on top of a volcano may be missed by all except the occasional geologist vacationer; however, at 1,320 feet above sea level, no one will fail to miss the park's magnificent views.

The park is part of the ancient Khmer Empire's reach into Thailand. The temple complex contains the largest and best restored Khmer architecture outside of Cambodia. It took seventeen years for the restoration work to be complete, but now the beautiful Hindu temple can be viewed and admired as it was originally intended.

If you are lucky you will catch sight of the monks inspecting the park grounds.

Throughout the site, each bridge to the temple area is adorned with images of the multi-headed mythical snake "naga". The bridge is said to be a link between our earthly realm and heaven. The naga stand guard on the bridge, thus protecting the gods from any unwanted earthly visitors.

The Khmer people lived in Thailand almost one thousand years ago; the architecture of the temple area is testimony to their skill and ingenuity.

The lotus flower is a Buddhist symbol, which is found all over Thailand, either fresh in lakes and ponds such as in this example, or throughout the paintings, ceramics, sculptures, architecture, jewelry and craft of all traditional Thai designs.