Mueang Tam Sanctuary
Located in Chorakhe Mak Subdistrict , Mueang Tam sanctuary is one of the Khmer sanctuaries with exceptional architecture . The architecture features the Baphuon style of Khmer art , which dated back between 1007-1082 , and mixed with the Khleang style , which dated back between 965-1012 . Most of the bas-reliefs depict Hindu gods , from which it can be assumed that the sanctuary may have been built around the 10th - 12th centuries and used as a religious shrine in Hinduism .
The site comprises of five brick prangs built on the same laterite base : three in the front and two at the back . The principal and largest prang is located in the middle of the front row but sadly only the base remains intact , while the other four prangs are also in quite poor condition . Each prang has only one entrance in the east wall , with false doors lining the other three sides . The principal tower also has a front terrace .
There have also been exciting discoveries made during the excavation which took place at the site . One being a lintel of the terrace carved into the shape of a god holding a water lily hovering above the face of Rahu and surrounded by male and female figures , which is believed to depict the wedding of the God Shiva and his consort Uma . The other is a pediment carved into a design of the God Indra riding on his Erawan elephant . They also found fragments of stucco relief used in decorating the base , indicating that these prangs were once beautifully embellished with stucco .
The other four smaller prangs still have two lintels attached above the entrance doorways : one at the northern tower in the front row and the other at the southern tower of the back row . The lintels were carved to show the God Shiva , holding Uma on his lap and sitting on his bull Nandi , and God the
Varuna riding a swan , respectively . The excavation also found the prang ’ s top piece , made from sandstone and carved into a lotus shape , falling around the prang ’ s base . There are two viharas in front of the prang complex , made from brick , facing the prangs on both sides , with each of them surrounded by a double wall . A long , narrow sandstone gallery forms the inner square wall , while the outer one is made from laterite . There are Gopuras ( entrance pavilions ) in all four directions at the exact positions of both divisions . Except for the inner one in the West , all Gopuras were made from sandstone , delicately carved into various designs such as pediments , lintels , and pilasters , depicting the story of the Hindu belief , foliage , and floral motifs .
Between the inner and outer walls lies the location of a large platform made from laterite . The L-shaped barays ( artificial ponds ) at the four corners are in line with laterite blocks arranged in steps down to the bottom . The pool ’ s top edge is made from sandstone , featuring five-headed Nagas , all bare-headed , without ornaments , and with necks stretching at the baray ’ s corners .
Open daily from 07.00 a . m . - 06.00 p . m . Entrance fees : 100 Baht . ( A joint ticket for visiting the Phanom Rung sanctuary and the Mueang Tam sanctury is available at 150 baht .) For further details , contact , the Phanom Rung Historical Park Office at Tel . + 66 4466 6251-2