Palilay Temple is a small Buddhist sanctuary in the wooded northern part of Angkor Thom, Siem Reap, a short walk from Phimeanakas. Its sandstone tower rises above a high base, with trees and jungle giving the site a quieter feel than Angkor Thom’s larger monuments. Look closely at the eastern gateway’s carved Buddhist scenes, including the Buddha taming the elephant Nalagiri and calling the earth to witness. The temple is only partly restored, so its stones and carvings retain an irregular, weathered character.
The temple and its setting
Preah Palilay, also called Palilay Temple, stands in a wooded area of Angkor Thom, north of the former Royal Palace grounds. It is a small sanctuary, often visited as a detour from the better-known structures nearby. Phimeanakas is about 400 metres to the south-east, and the temple is also a short walk from the Terrace of the Leper King and Tep Pranam.
A laterite enclosure surrounds the temple. At the eastern approach, a long causeway leads to a sandstone gateway. Beyond it, the central sanctuary rises on a high base, with stairways on all four sides. Its narrow, tower-like form stands apart from the broad terraces and stepped structures found elsewhere in Angkor Thom.
Carvings at the eastern entrance
The gateway’s pediments preserve Buddhist scenes that reward a closer look. Among them are the Buddha subduing Nalagiri, an elephant, and the Buddha calling the earth to witness. Other carved stories include the Vessantara tale, in which the prince gives away his children, and a reclining Buddha.
The gateway visible today brings together stones that were reused or displaced during restoration in the twentieth century. As a result, some carvings may not occupy their original positions. The surviving panels still offer a glimpse of the Buddhist imagery associated with the sanctuary.
Nagas, guardians and an uncertain past
Seven-headed naga balustrades line the eastern terrace. Decapitated guardian figures and a lion stand by the approach, giving the entrance a distinctive appearance. A later-period Buddha statue, seated on a lotus, is housed in a shrine before the enclosure.
The temple’s exact date has not been established. It has no inscriptions to settle the question: its style has been linked to the early twelfth century, while aspects of its construction point to a later period. The original purpose of the tower is also unknown. The name Preah Palilay is understood as “Sacred Forest of Palilay,” but the site’s original name has not been identified.
FAQ
Where is Palilay Temple?
It is in Angkor Thom, Siem Reap, in a wooded area north of the former Royal Palace grounds. It is about 400 metres north-west of Phimeanakas.
What should I look for at Palilay Temple?
Look for the Buddhist carvings on the eastern gateway, including scenes of the Buddha and Nalagiri, and the seven-headed naga balustrades.
How old is Palilay Temple?
Its exact date is unknown because no inscriptions survive to date it. Its style has been associated with the early twelfth century, though parts of its construction suggest a later date.
Can you climb on the temple?
No. Stay off the temple stones to help preserve the site.
