Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Images from Phnom Banan

The five towers of Phnom Banan
Here are some more photos from Phnom Banan, a hilltop temple lying 22kms southwest of Battambang, which I visited with a group of work colleagues recently. My first visit to the temple was in 1999 and the authorities have done much to make the access to the site easier for the many tourists that now visit. The views from the top of the hill are gorgeous and almost worth the steep climb itself, however, the real attraction is the Angkorean five-tower temple that sits proudly at the summit.
The eastern doorway to the main sanctuary where visitors come to pray
An inscription stone explaining about donations made to the temple
This small boy plays hide and seek behind this large naga antefix
This small broken laterite temple lies at the foot of the hill and is dedicated to Yeay Peau

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Andy,
Any additional info on "Yeay Peau"? I've been to Sambor, in K. Thom, on my way to Angkor, and there also found a shrine (prasat) to Yeay Peau in the main complex; in Phnom Chisor, I asked my guide about one particular shrine and it too was dedicated to YP. Thanks for any light and congratulations for your bright blog.
Susan Hayworth

June 4, 2008 12:49 PM  
Blogger Andy Brouwer said...

hi susan,
off the top of my head, Yeay Peau means something like Grandmother Peau, who can either be the mother of the King as in the Yeau Peau at Tonle Bati, south of PPenh (not too far from Phnom Chisor), or it can mean something akin to a shrine to travellers (per the group of shrines on the way to S'ville). when i get home I'll dig around to see if i can spirit up any other 'definitive' meaning.
Andy

June 4, 2008 2:37 PM  
Blogger Andy Brouwer said...

CORRECTION, possibly. I think I may've got my Yeay's mixed up!
The temple at the foot of Phnom Banan may well be dedicated to Yeay Tep (not Yeay Peau). I might've misheard
and according to Ray Zepp, who spent a long time in Battambang, its Yeay Tep. Yeay Tep (Grandmother Tep) is honored by Cambodian artists I believe.
Oh and its Yeay Mao who travellers on their way to Sihanoukville pay respect to at Pich Nil.
Boy, am I getting my Yeay's mixed up good and proper!!

June 6, 2008 11:20 PM  

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