Carvings galore

Two-armed Lokeshvara of the western gopura, at the rear of the complex

These two photos of Lokeshvara are from the northern and southern faces of the western gopura, the outer enclosure of Wat Nokor in Kompong Cham. One of the best preserved Jayavarman VII temples in the provinces, Wat Nokor retains a wealth of carvings throughout the extensive complex. These Lokeshvara carvings - Lokeshvara is the Cambodian version of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara or Lord of Compassion, protecting humans from dangers like flooding, fire, thieves and so on, healing all illnesses as well as granting children of the required sex to those that request them - were a popular feature of Jayavarman VII temples across the country and took on greater importance than the historical Buddha himself. In both pediments, worshippers accompany the main figure, the top (northern) also has flying apsara whilst the bottom (southern) has two of his original four arms missing.

This Lokeshvara with worshippers originally had 4 arms

Another view of The Great Departure, this time on the eastern entry gopura

The above representation of The Great Departure by Prince Siddhartha on his mighty horse, attended to by members of his court carrying parasols and worshippers can be found on the northern face of the eastern gopura as you enter the complex. The southern pediment of the same gopura is in danger of imminent collapse. The gopura below is at the western end of the complex and contains the two Lokeshvara pediments shown above. Although the farthest from the entry point, its well worth viewing for its excellent carvings and devatas in niches.

The western gopura, at the rear of the Wat Nokor complex