Po Klong Garai Temple

About

According to legend, the Po Klong Garai Temple was built when the beloved king Po Klong Garai challenged the invading Khmer to a tower-building contest rather than fighting. Po Klaung Garai proved the better architect, and the invading Cambodians were obliged to return home. Historians usually credit King Jaya Simhavarman III with constructing the temple in the 13th century in honor of Po Klaung Garai, though the presence steles dating back to the 11th century suggest that he may have worked around an existing structure. Constructed from red bricks, the temple is noted for its clean lines and austere decor, which further emphasizes importance of the beautiful dancing Shiva above the entrance to the main tower, and the ancient Cham inscriptions on the doorposts. Today, the temple still holds Cham religious festivals, with faithful saying the central, human-faced linga represents King Po Klaung Garai rather than Shiva.