Monday, May 05, 2008
The Angkorean Barays of Amrita Water
For many of the tourists visiting Siem Reap Angkor, the sunset over "West Baray" from Bakheng temple mountain is a moment not to be missed. Yet few will be aware of the importance and function of this, the ancient world's largest man-made lake.
The Khmer ancestors of Angkor were not just experts in architecture and the construction of temples, roads, and bridges, they were masters of irrigation. The ancient Kings and their subjects developed water distribution channels for the irrigation of their agriculture. It provided them with a sustainable existence in harmony with their environmental. The barays or reservoirs of the temples were an integral part of of the irrigation system, combining both visual beauty and function since the earliest days of Angkorean development. It enabled multiple rice crops to be harvested year-round. According to H.E. Chuch Phoeun, Secretary of State of Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, "there are four Barays in the Angkor complex area and Srah Sraong, each centered by a sacred temple." |
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"The first Baray is Indratataka, constructed by King Indravarman I in the 9th century. It is located in the former Hariharalaya capital city, now part of the Rolous Group today," H.E. Phoeun said. "The construction of this baray was completed by his son and successor kings."
"The ‘East Baray’ or ‘Yasodharatataka’ was built by King Yasovarman I, in the 10th century. It is approximately 2 km by 8 km," he added. "Today, the East Baray is exhausted and is used as local rice fields around the Eastern Mebon temple."
‘West Baray’ is the largest and deepest man-made reservoir in the world, used to hold water which supported agricultural projects and the sprawling population of Angkor capital city. The scriptures identify West Baray as an ‘ocean’."
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| "King Jayavarman V initiated the construction of the West Baray in the 10th century; It's development had continuous support by succeeding kings, such as King Suryavarman I who spent considerable time and efforts in its construction,' H.E. Phoeun added. "The constructions of is enormous baray was completed by King Udayadityavarman II in the11th century." |
"West Baray measured roughly 2.5 km by 8 km, and was surrounded by a five to eight meter high dike. On the southern rim, a temple called Ak-Yum was constructed. West Baray was the largest to be built during the Khmer Empire era, and at that time served as largest artificial reservoir in the world," H.E. Phoeun said. "The last great Baray of the Angkor era was the Jayatataka Baray, built by Jayavarman VII, between the end of 12th-13th century."
"The original purpose if the barays was for irrigation, providing water to cultivate crops, and to supply the people tending the land."
"Later on , the water not only supported the agriculture and the people, but was used for ceremonial purposes, occasions such as a king's coronation, at the inauguration of temples and other religious and ritual ceremonies. Our ancestors brought water from each of the four Barays and from Srah Srang, for celebration at those key events," H.E. Phoeun explained. "The water in the Baray reservoirs seemingly as the Amrita water, attributed with making the Khmer civilization at Angkor era the richest in both prosperity and happiness."
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By design, every Baray has a temple located at its central, This is dedicated to the Spirit of Gods and is seen as a palace for that deity. For example, Baray Jayatataka has ‘Neak Poan’ Temple at its center; East Baray has ‘Eastern Mebon’.
Located in the middle of West Baray is an island containing ‘Western Mebon’ Temple; it once housed the superb bronze statue of the reclining Vishnu. Today this large Vishnu bronze is exhibited at the National Museum in Phnom Penh. In the middle of the island is a hollow or reversed linga (phallus), its symbolic function was to impregnate the waters, making them fertile and thus causing all the rice fields and meadows over which it flowed to be fecund.
Neak Poan Temple is located at the heart of the man-made Jayatataka Baray. This single small tower appears to be floating above the surrounding waters. In the past, this temple was only accessible by boat; today, it can be reached by land. The name Neak Poan means ‘entwined by the dragon’. "In Khmer culture, the dragon represents the water. So our ancestor built this temple and put two dragons to wrap for protection and is the perfect representation of the coexistence of earth and water," said Sambo Manara, a History professor at the Royal University of Phnom Penh. "This temple was used as a holy place for health care and treatment to all people, and especially for the soldier before they enter the battle field."
"The water inside the four pools of Neak Poan temple served as holy liquid or Amrita for giving energy, health and happiness to people during the Angkor era," Professor Manara said.
Today, West Baray contains water in its western end year round. During the wet season, water spreads to the eastern section as well. It remains a popular place with tourists and locals alike, many of whom use it for swimming and boat rides. The baray is even large enough to enable the occasion sailplane to land, a sight its creators ten centuries ago could never have imagined.
