AKP Phnom Penh, May 02, 2025 --

The National Authority for Preah Vihear has officially begun a three-year conservation and restoration project at Prasat Krahom, the largest brick temple within the Koh Ker Temple Complex—a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The initiative, which commenced on May 1, 2025, is funded by the Switzerland-based ALIPH Foundation.

The project will run from 2025 to 2028 and involves comprehensive preservation work including site cleaning, excavation, structural restoration in accordance with international standards, and conservation of interior wall paintings and external bas-reliefs. The goal is to preserve the temple’s historical value and authenticity for future generations of scholars and visitors.

Prasat Krahom stands 17 metres tall and features a square base measuring 12 metres on each side. The temple houses a monumental six-metre sandstone statue of a dancing Shiva (known as Nataraja), positioned atop a decorated pedestal entwined with serpent motifs and flanked by eight standing lion sculptures at each corner. Surrounding the main pedestal are additional statues, including representations of Uma, Chamunda, Mahakala, and Nandikesvara.

Years of abandonment, natural degradation, and human activity—such as looting and bomb damage—have severely compromised the temple’s structure. Cracks and crumbling brickwork, rainwater erosion, and invasive vegetation have all taken their toll.

The National Authority for Preah Vihear expressed its deep gratitude to ALIPH for its financial support, emphasising the importance of preserving this invaluable cultural heritage for the benefit of future
generations.

By K. Rithy Reak