Neak Pean is one of the renowned Buddhist temples in Angkor

Neak Pean is one of the renowned Buddhist temples in Angkor, Cambodia. It is located on an artificial island. It was built by Jayavarman VII at the end of 12th century. The term “Neak Pean” means “the entwined serpents”. As the sculptures of snakes run around the base of the temple structure, it derived that name. This temple was originally designed as a hospital and then it was transformed to a Buddhist temple. It is different from other temples in Angkor, as it was located on an island in the middle of the man-made reservoir.　Most people like it in Cambodia tour.

Neak Pean was built on the second half of the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. It seems that the main pond was attributed curative powers by the Angkor inhabitants and it was possibly used as a pilgrimage place where people would come and bath in order to be healed both physically and symbolically. One of the theories maintains that the pond may be a replica of the Lake Anavatapta in the Himalayas, a mythical lake at the top of the universe that is source to the four great rivers of the earth.
The temple is faced by a statue of the horse, Balaha, saving drawing sailors. Neak Pean may have served an absolution function, and the waters were thought to have healing properties. During the dry season when the water is low, check out the animal and human headwater spouts at the outside center of each pool. Neak Pean is most photogenic in the wet season, when the pools are full.