The Sacred Bull of Preah Ko - Guardian to the Gods

Preah Ko, meaning “Sacred Bull,” is a profoundly significant yet often overlooked temple, quietly standing in the shadows of its more famous successors like Angkor Wat and Bayon. Built in 879AD by King Indravarman I, Preah Ko was the very first temple erected in the ancient city of Hariharalaya, a sacred capital considered the cradle of Khmer civilisation. Located in present day Roluos, about 15km's southeast of Siem Reap, this temple predates Angkor Wat by over two centuries and laid the architectural and spiritual groundwork for what would become the vast Khmer Empire.

Hariharalaya itself was named after the hybrid deity Harihara, a fusion of Vishnu and Shiva, symbolizing the religious syncretism that defined early Khmer kingship. Preah Ko was dedicated to the king’s ancestors, both mortal and divine, enshrining them as god-kings in a lineage of sanctified rule. According to local legend, Preah Ko was built atop ancient naga ley lines, mystic veins of power said to be guarded by serpent spirits deep within the earth. To anchor the temple’s power and appease these forces, dark rites were rumoured to have taken place. Lore's tell of blood-soaked rituals and human sacrifices sealed beneath the foundation stones, victims offered alive to bind the spirit world to the sacred ground.

One of the temple’s most iconic features is the three large sandstone statues of Nandi, the sacred bull and divine mount of Lord Shiva, seated in front of the main towers. These are the "sacred bulls" that give Preah Ko its name. The fact that there are three bulls at Preah Ko is unusual and significant. In Hinduism, the number three has deep spiritual meaning and is often associated with divine principles, such as the Trimurti, the Hindu trinity consisting of Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Preserver) and Shiva (the Destroyer). The presence of three Nandi statues may symbolise the spiritual balance and divine harmony between these forces, further elevating the temple as a site of cosmic significance.

These naga lions have guarded these temples for over 1145 years, to ensure that only those who are worthy may ascend to the divine space

The temple's design reflects early Khmer architectural principles, notably influenced by South Indian Hindu shrines. Six brick towers stand on a raised sandstone platform, arranged in two rows of three. Each tower is dedicated to a different ancestor, with the front row representing King Jayavarman II, his queen & his guru and the back row representing Indravarman I’s own parents and himself. Each sanctuary tower also has false doors carved on three of its sides. These are symbolic, representing the inaccessibility of the divine space to the mundane world.

Sanskrit inscriptions are etched on the base of each tower. These inscriptions provide a detailed account of royal lineage and the ancestral deities of the time

Preah Ko is more than a temple, it was a sacred mausoleum, a royal shrine and a political instrument. It enshrined the King's royal ancestors as Hindu deities and laid the groundwork for the grandeur of future Khmer temples. By merging ancestral veneration with Hindu cosmology, the temple helped solidify the concept of the divine king, a god-king whose power was both celestial and ancestral.

Location : Angkor Archaeological Park, Koh Ker, Prasat Bakong, Krong Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia

How to get there : Preah Ko is located about 13km's southeast of Siem Reap, within the Roluos Group of temples and there are 3 significant sites to explore here. A visit to this area is included in the Angkor Wat Outer Circle Tour and will take up the entire day. Expect to pay around $50-80USD per tuk-tuk for an experienced rider/guide.

Attraction Info : Admission is included with the Angkor temple pass. Entrance fees are structured to accommodate various itineraries. A 1-day pass is $37USD, a 3-day pass is $62USD and a 7-day pass at $72USD. Tickets can be purchased at the official Angkor Ticket Office or online. Generally 3 days is sufficient time to explore the area. The grounds are open between 7:30am - 5:30pm and the best time to visit is in the early morning.

ប្រាសាទព្រះគោ

Official Website : https://www.angkorenterprise.gov.kh/

Explore Cambodia

Thanks for reading The Sacred Bull of Preah Ko - Guardian to the Gods. Check out more destinations here!