What to Expect When Visiting the Roluos Group Temples

The Roluos Group Temples is an awe-inspiring sight to behold. The temples are made of brick and laterite and are decorated with intricate carvings and bas-reliefs. You’ll also find several well-preserved stone lions guarding the temples’ entrances.

The main temples in the Roluos Group complex include the following:

Bakong Temple: This temple is the largest in the complex and is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. It is believed to have been the inspiration for the famous Angkor Wat temple.

This towering structure is the crown jewel of the Roluos Group; at 15 meters in height, it is the tallest temple mountain of its design and contains five stories and a central tower. In the heart of Hariharalaya stood this state temple. At some point, it collapsed, but the French rebuilt it between 1937 and 1945. The stunning Bakong Pagoda, which is both contemporary and decorated with lovely murals, is also located here. The pagoda has survived and is in excellent condition.

Lolei Temple: This temple is unique because it was built on an artificial island in the middle of a large reservoir. It was built in honor of the Hindu gods and is known for its intricate carvings.

This temple stands out from the rest because it is located on an island. A man-made reservoir, known as a baray in Khmer, surrounds the area. 

However, the reservoir has run dry. As a result, the four towers of the temple are slowly falling apart. Yasovarman I completed construction on this temple shortly before relocating the capital to the Angkor region.

Preah Ko Temple: This temple is the oldest in the complex and is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. It is made of brick and laterite and is known for its six towers that are decorated with carvings of animals and Hindu deities.

No surprise this temple is called the “sacred bull”; statues of bulls surround it. It has six towers and stunning carvings that have been carefully kept. A modest, functioning shrine can be found inside each tower.

Monti Prei: The Roluos group’s least known and frequented temple. It’s a tiny temple ruin hidden from view by the nearby town, off a side street. Even though all that’s left of it now is a collection of one-story ruins engulfed by rainforest, its remote location and lack of publicity make it an intriguing destination.

When visiting the temples, make sure to take your time to explore each one thoroughly. You’ll also want to dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable shoes, as the temple grounds can be uneven and rocky.