BURIRAM
City Of Castles In Two Eras
Phanom Rung Historical Park
Located at Ban Ta Puek , Tambon Ta Puek , Phanom Rung is one of the most significant and beautiful historical sites in Thailand . It is situated on the summit of an extinct volcano , approximately 350 meters above sea level . The term " Phanom Rung ," derived from Khmer , means " a vast mountain ," and it appears in inscriptions found at the Phanom Rung temple . The creator of the temple , King Narendratith , belonged to the Mahidharapura dynasty , closely related to King Suryavarman II , the builder of Angkor Wat .
Phanom Rung was constructed to honor Shiva , the supreme god of Hinduism . The mount and temple symbolize Mount Kailash , Shiva ' s sacred abode , representing the center of the universe . The temple complex consists of buildings from different periods , spanning from the 15th to the 18th Buddhist centuries .
The Fine Arts Department has restored Phanom Rung using the " Anastylosis " method-rebuilding the original structure by carefully reassembling its parts after reinforcing the base . The park was officially opened on May 21 , 1988 , by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn during Thailand ’ s Heritage Conservation Day .