Muang Tam [ at the foot of Mount ''Phanom Rung'' ]

• Prasat Muang Tam [ in Surin Province ] was a travelers' stop over on the laterite road from Angkor Thom [ now in Cambodia ] across the Dangrek Mountains to Phimai [ now in Thailand ]. In the time of Jayavarman 7th there were seven such major roads reaching the furthermost corners of the Khmer Empire [ which included Thailand ]. Settlements were existing in Muang Tam since prehistoric times.
• The site was a Hindu religious sanctuary constructed of laterite, brick and sandstone. The artistic style confirms it was built during the 10TH – 11th C. The centre of the site symbolically represents the centre of the universe and is the seat of the principal of the Deity in accordance with Hindu religious belief. The central tower was originally decorated with stucco motifs [ since destroyed ].
  
• Today one can inspect carved lintels illustrating various Hindu deity, Shiva, Uma [ the consort ], Erawan [ the elephant ], Indra and Shiva.
• The Temple is located on the plains at the foot of Phanom Rung and as such forms part of the complex of ancient Khmer attractions to visit. It is on the South side of an ancient Baray [ man made water storage lake ] The Temple is surrounded by a gallery with the traditional four doorways, one on each side. The Temple is made of sandstone.

• Prasat Muang Tam was a Hindu sanctuary built in the 11th century on the plain 8 kilometers southeast from Prasat Phanom Rung. Although its setting is much less picturesque, its plan, importance, and the good state of preservation of its base reliefs make it an outstanding ancient Khmer temple.
• The plan of the temple is a vast rectangle, 120 by 127 meters, enclosed with a laterite wall topped by a strong rim. At the four cardinal points are four Gopuras in the middle of each side of the complex.
• The first courtyard is imposing in its proportions and is mostly filled with four symmetrical L shaped ponds, at each corner of which is the figure of five-headed Naga with the tails meeting at the top of the stairs on each side of the ponds leading down to the water.
• These ponds are separated from each other by four paths leading to the four doors of the inner courtyard which appears floating like an island.
• To the north of Prasat Muang Tam is located the Baray ( known as Thale Muang Tam, or Muang Tam lake ), 510 by 1,090 metrers, constructed as an integral part of the temple to symbolize the ocean surrounding Mt. Meru, which is the home of Hindu gods.

Art and Architecture at Prasat Muang Tam

• Prasat Muang Tam is a rectangular shaped monument 120 meters by 127 meters. This is a Khmer monument similar to those now seen in Cambodia and particularly at Angkor as explained elsewhere in this Site. The monument faces the east and comprises a laterite wall with many buildings within the wall. The buildings are made of laterite, brick and sand stone blocks.
• The outer walls and their archways are constructed with rectangular laterite blocks which are topped with finials. These walls have doorways made of sand stone. When you enter these doorways you can see carved engraved eight lotus petals on the floors of the doorways to represent the plan of the universe, good luck and purity.
• Once inside you can see four large ''L'' shaped ponds which follow the outer walls and with walk ways separating each to enable entrance to the Court yards and Galleries within. Around each pond are five descending stone and laterite steps leading from the pathways down into each pond. Each of the four ponds has at its edge a five headed Naga or serpent which also serves as a rail around each pond. The style of carving for the Nagas suggests they were made 1,000 years ago and they are in the ancient Khmer style, not the Thai versions often seen elsewhere in Thailand.
• Between the ponds and the Internal Towers are the Gallery and Archways. The Gallery is a sandstone corridor shaped building surrounding the Towers and the Library. The Gallery is rectangular and within its walls are doors also made of stand stone. These are aligned to the doors of the outer walls.
• The five towers are within the center of the complex. These are constructed on raised bases made of large laterite blocks. The Towers are made of sand stone. The largest tower was in the middle but has since been destroyed. It in the usual Khmer way, represented Mount Meru, the ancient Hindu mythological center of the Universe. As can be seen in the images here the four remaining towers were also made of sand stone and originally were decorated with limestone plaster and stucco art objects.
• Muan Tam was constructed as a Hindu Temple dedicated to the Deity, Shiva. Inside the Main Tower was placed a Shiva Linga which was the ancient phallic symbol of Shiva's creative powers. The four smaller Towers are square shaped and their entrances face east.
• The other four ''entrances'' are made of sand stone, and in the usual Khmer style, are symbolic door ways only [ or false doors ]. Above each actual door way are lintels. These are of significance and worthy of the visit. Each of the four smaller towers had roofs capped with five sand stone levels. The lintels to see are;
• The marriage of Shiva and Uma Lintel, The Uma Mahesvara Lintel, The Lintel of Krishna lifting Mount  Govardhana and the Lintel of Krishna Fighting the Naga Kaliya.