Ta Keo - the unfinished temple

Ta Keo

The King Jayavarman V built Ta Keo in late 10th century for the God Shiva. It’s a temple-mountain built of laterites and sandstone in a similar shape to Angkor Wat but has no decorative carvings.

Once the King and his builders finished the stone construction, they began the carving works, but almost immediately the central tower of the temple was hit by the lightening. The King decided that it was sign of bad luck and ordered all work stopped. thus the temple was never finished.

This temple would clearly have been one of the most impressive if it had been finished at that time. The crafetmanship is excellent and it remains well preserved.