Phimai Historical Park

 

Location: Centre of Phimai Town, Khorat province

Tel. 0-4447-1568

Info: TAT, Khorat

Tel. 0-4421-3666

Open: 6am- 6pm daily

Phimai Historical Park It is one of Thailand's historical parks under the supervision of the Fine Arts Department. Ministry of Culture It is an ancient Khmer style stone castle in Bapuan style. Located in Phimai District. Nakhon Ratchasima Province It consists of a large and beautiful stone castle from the Khmer Empire. Built in the reign of King Suryavarman I around the 16th century to serve as a temple of the Brahmin religion. and later changed to Mahayana Buddhism

Prasat Hin Phimai Built according to beliefs about heaven and the human world, the layout of Prasat Hin Phimai is built similar to Mount Meru. There is a presiding castle. which is in the center of the temple It is like a link between earth and heaven. Prasat Hin Phimai It is the largest stone castle in Thailand. It is one of the most important tourist attractions in Phimai District. and Nakhon Ratchasima Province

 

History of Phimai Historical Park

Phimai is an ancient settlement that lies on the road to nearby Angkor Wat in modern day Cambodia and in the ancient times thousands of pilgrims made their stop on the way to there. In Khmer language name Phimai is translated as a "big city". And once you will get there you will that it disserves this name. It was established in the 2nd century AD after capture of Khmer Thai state Dvaravati. The whole site has a shape of a rectangular with defensive walls and water filled moat around its perimeter. Dimensions of the central sanctuary is 565 meters in width and 1030 meters in length. It should be that noted that the central temple complex of Phimai was established as a school of Mahayana Buddhist sanctuary. Most other temples in the Khmer region belonged to Hindu religion. This one is a rare exception of religious tolerance.

 

In the period from 1964 to 1969 the historic city of restoration work was carried out in cooperation with the Embassy of France led by joint leadership of Yaychay Chitrabongse and Bernard Philippe Groslier. Thanks to their work we can see Phimai Historical Park in all of its beauty with magnificent temples and stucco paintings of Buddha's life as well as scenes from the Ramayana.

 

Location of Phimai Castle

The park is located on the east side of the Mun River. and is in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Phimai District, on an area of 115 rai, planned in a rectangular shape, width 565 meters, length 1,030 meters. The special feature of Prasat Hin Phimai is that this stone castle was built facing south. This is different from other stone castles that usually face east. Presumably in order to face the route cutting from the city of Phra Nakhon, the capital at that time of the Khmer Kingdom. which enters Phimai city in the south

 

Buildings within Phimai Historical Park

Chancel

Located in front of the outer wall. On the left side of the walkway into the castle. It is a rectangular building. It was originally called "Treasury of Money" from its location, presumably as a preparatory residence for the king. or high-ranking princes who came to perform religious ceremonies It is also a place to stay for the procession of various offerings. From the excavation of this area in 1968, many antiques were found. There are idols decorations and bronze coins That's why it's called the "Treasury of Money".

 

Nakarat Bridge

Located in front of the southern entrance to Gopura, it is built of sandstone. It has a cross-shaped plan, width 4 m., length 31.70 m., raised on a high platform, and the bridge's railing is made of a naga. At the end of the railing, there is an image of a Naga king with its neck raised and spread across a bridge in the shape of a seven-headed Naga. This bridge is considered the starting point for the journey into a sacred religious place according to beliefs about the universe. It is believed to be a path connecting the human world to the heavenly world. This belief has been passed down in Hinduism and Mahayana Buddhism.

 

Arch and glass wall

Arch or Gopura Located in the middle of the glass wall. It is in the same direction on all 4 sides, north-south, in the center of the wall. East-west slightly north. The surrounding plan of the arch is in the shape of a cross. From the glass wall into the inside it is believed to be the realm of the heavenly world. which is the residence of the gods

 

Walkway chalet

Construction with sandstone Connected between the arches on the south side of the cloister that surrounds the main castle. By making a raised walkway about 1 meter high, divided into 3 walkways, the layout is made in the shape of a cross. During the restoration, many fragments of roof tiles and terracotta brali were found. It is assumed that it was originally an open balcony. tiled roof Supported by wooden poles

 

Archway and balcony

It is a building made of sandstone and raised on a high floor. Surrounding the main castle The cloister resembles a glass wall on all 4 sides, with its location aligned with the city gate. and the entrance to the main castle Important evidence appears on the southern arch. Around the door frame, Khmer inscriptions were found. Ancient Khmer script Specifies the era corresponding to 1651–1655 AD. Mentions the creation of idols. city building as well as the names of high nobles appearing and the name of the king is King Tharanindharavarman I

 

Prasat Prasat

It is the most important part of Prasat Hin Phimai. It is a big castle. Built around the 16th and 17th centuries, it is constructed of white sandstone and faces south. This is different from other Khmer religious sites which usually face the east. The main castle consists of two important parts: the mandap and the rectory. Decorative patterns are carved on various parts such as the gable and lintel, often carved into images telling the story of the Ramayana and Buddhist stories. except on the south side The main image is a picture of Shiva Nataraja. Inside the residence is the most important part, called the Garbhagriha room, where important idols are enshrined. The floor of the room in the northeastern corner has a holy water channel extending through the room floor to the outside, called the Soma Sutta pipe.

 

Prang Hin Daeng

Built around the end of the 17th century, it is located to the right of the main prang. There is a portico extending out in all 4 directions above the entrance frame on the north side. There is a sandstone lintel engraved with images telling the story of the Mahabharata epic. When Arjuna hunted a wild boar As for the other side of the door frame, only traces remain of the pillars decorating the door frame in the Khmer style.

 

Brahman Hall

It is a building made of sandstone and laterite. Located on the same base as the Hin Daeng Prang, in the year 1950 the Shivalinga was discovered. Carved in 7 pieces of sandstone inside the Brahman Hall. It is believed that this building was probably a place for Brahmin religious ceremonies. But from the original form and location, it was more likely to be the location of a bunnalai.

 

Prang Phromthat

Characteristics of this prang Built with laterite, located in front of It is assumed that it is an image of King Jayavarman VII, which the villagers call "Thao Brahmadatta". The other image is a kneeling woman carved from sandstone. His head and arms were missing. It is believed to be the image of Queen Chairat Devi, the queen's wife. The villagers call it Nang Oraphim according to folk tales. Currently, these two sculptures are on display in the Phimai National Museum.

 

Library

Located in the outer courtyard. Between the glass wall and the cloister archway To the west are two buildings of the same size. The building plan is rectangular with a raised platform. Built with sandstone, divided into long rooms along the entire length. Found traces of square pillar holes. It was probably originally a wooden roof with tiles. It is believed that the library is a place where sacred religious scriptures are kept.