Wat Phra Prang Sam Yot

THAILAND, Lopburi

Phra Prang Sam Yot means Castle of the Three Stupas. It was built by Khmer King Jayavarman VII (reigned circa 1181–1220). He was a powerful military leader who embarked on a number of religious architectural projects. He was also a devoted Buddhist and follower of the Mahayana tradition. The three stupas are built in the Bayon style of the late 12th to early 13th century. It was one of the last temples built by the Khmers in Thailand. After the death of King Jayavarman VII it became a Hindu temple. During the time of King Narai (reigned 1656–1688) of Ayutthaya, the temple was changed into a Theravada Buddhist temple, with the addition of an ordination hall to the east of the central stupa. There is a large stone seated Buddha statue enshrined in the ordination hall. Over time, the roof and part of the walls collapsed, which left the Buddha statue exposed. The temple underwent major renovations in 1926.
The three stupas are the major extant structures. They are made of sandstone and brick. The stupas are built on a cruciform layout and have porticos with a double tympanum above. The stupas are joined by barrel-vaulted corridors, which open into a sanctum within each stupa. The stupa bodies have a tapered curved shape with multiple corners and are decorated with stucco reliefs demonstrating fine Khmer artistry. Inscriptions from the late Bayon period suggest that King Jayavarman VII built this temple to honor his parents or a teacher.