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Prasat Kravan is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia, located south of the Srah Srang baray. The remains, reconstructed in the 19th century by the French, consist of five brick towers on a raised platform; while the exterior is unremarkable, some of the interiors feature unusual brick bas-reliefs. The central tower features bas reliefs of Vishnu in his form as Vamana as well as the god astride his mount, Garuda, both flanking a monumental eight-armed depiction. The westernmost tower features a bas relief of Lakshmi, Vishnu's consort. The goddess holds both the trident of Shiva and the discus of Vishnu, possibly marking her as the great goddess who transcends the duality of Saiva and Vaishnava worship. A more traditional depiction of Lakshmi holding lotuses is on the opposite wall
Prasat Kravan was built in the year 921 by a nobleman rather than a king, and its unique brick towers contain large wall sculptures of Vishnu and Lakshmi (an inscription on the door jambs mentions the placement of a statue of Vishnu in 921AD). Unlike other temples at Angkor it has an unusual five-part facade with all the towers in a row. In the mid-60s Prasat Kravan was extensively restored by French archaeologists, look out for the replacement bricks which have 'CA' stamped on them. For photography it is best visited in the morning when the sunlight is on the front of the towers. |