Last Updated on May 20, 2021
From Baphuon, it was just a walkable distance to Phimeanakas. Like Baphuon, Phimeanakas was a temple mountain. However, this laterite temple looked way smaller than the Baphuon. The temple had three distinctive levels and was located at the centre of what was once the Royal Palace compound.
The name Phimeanakas translates to Aerial Palace or Celestial Palace. The name has its origin from the Sanskrit words ‘vimana’ (flying object) and ‘akasha’ (sky).
The central pyramid had laterite steps leading up on all four sides – all were in a crumpled condition. A wooden stair with railings had been constructed over the original laterite stairs on the western side. The stairs were flanked by guardian lions. There were stone elephants too, mostly broken, found at the corners of the pyramid. The temple was more than 30 metres in height.
Phimeanakas – western side
The stairs were steep, narrow and one way. But there were not many visitors so we could easily climb up without creating a jam. From the top, we could see two ponds in the vicinity, a larger one and a smaller one.
At the top, there were sandstone galleries along the sides with very low ceilings. In the middle of the pyramid, there was a crumpled tower known as the Golden Tower. As per the accounts of the Chinese envoy, Zhou Daguan, who visited Angkor in the 13th century, the tower was crowned with a golden spire.
Phimeanakas – Abode of Nagini
In this tower there lived a spirit in the form of a nine-headed snake. Every night the spirit appeared in the form of a woman and the King had to spend the night with her before he joined his wives or concubines. If the King failed to do so, a great disaster would strike the Kingdom and if the spirit failed to appear, the King would die. Interesting story!!!
From Phimeanakas we walked towards a small gopura, passed under it and climbed onto a huge terrace – the Terrace of Elephants.
