Prasat Beng Mealea

Beng Mealea, Cambodia – 2018. Beng Mealea is a large, unrestored temple surrounded and partly overgrown by jungle near Phnom Kulen National Park and about 70km from Siem Reap. It is believed that Beng Mealea was built by King Suryavarman II during the first half of the 12th century, just before or around the same time as Angkor Wat. It was built as a Hindu Temple but it also contains some Buddhist carvings. The primary building material is sandstone. There has been no restoration to the buildings so there are trees and brush growing everywhere in the towers and courtyards and many of its stones are lying large piles.
The remains of the cruciform terrace at one of the entrances to Prasat Beng Mealea
The fallen outer walls of Prasat Beng Mealea
A five headed Naga a cruciform terrace at one of the entrances to Prasat Beng Mealea
Prasat Beng Mealea
Prasat Beng Mealea
Prasat Beng Mealea
The fallen outer walls of Prasat Beng Mealea
Beng Mealea is a large, unrestored temple surrounded and partly overgrown by jungle
The walkway leading to Beng Mealea. It was originally paved with stone and the remains of the naga snakes are on each side of the walkway are still viable.
A Silk-cotton tree growing out of the stone ruins of Prasat Beng Mealea
The remains of the cruciform terrace at one of the entrances to Prasat Beng Mealea
The fallen outer walls of Prasat Beng Mealea
The fallen outer walls of Prasat Beng Mealea
One of the four gopura or gate towers of Prasat Beng Mealea
A Silk-cotton tree growing out of the stone ruins of Prasat Beng Mealea
One of the raised libraries of the outer enclosure
A carved lintel above a door within the Prasat Beng Mealea
Prasat Beng Mealea
Silk-cotton trees growing out of the stone ruins of Prasat Beng Mealea
Prasat Beng Mealea