East Mebon is a 10th century temple from Angkor archeological complex. It was built in time of King Rajendravarman rule and is located on a former island in the middle of East Baray reservoir that nowadays is dry. The temple is built in name Shiva god from Hindu theology. At the same tame, it is memorial for the King’s parents. It was built in interesting manner according to Khmer architects’ school. Its north-south axis is oriented on Rajendravarman’s state temple, Pre Rup, that is located in nearly on km to the south. East-west axis leads to another temple Phimeanakas that is situated in little less than 7 km to the west and is one more building from Rajendravarman reign.
It is built in 953 AD in the same style as Pre Rup with usage of main Khmer materials of that time. They were sandstone, brick, stucco and laterite. It has three tiers and two enclosing walls. On the top there is a square platform with one main tower in the center and four little towers on the corners.
There are various sculptures in the temple as well. They include two-meter high stone elephants, the god Indra on his three-headed elephant Airavata and with Shiva on his mount, sacred bull Nandi and others. Some especially beautiful carving is on the lintels.
Being in here, don’t forget that earlier the only way to reach this place was by boat.
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