TA PROHM – Tomb Raiders Temple

TA PROHM – Tomb Raiders Temple

Our next stop was Ta Prohm, a temple made famous by the movie Tomb Raiders. Shrouded in dense jungle it is also known as The Jungle Temple.

Intriguing, mysterious, and magical, were the words that came to my mind when I first saw it. The old ruins covered by the overgrown trees and shrubs, the entangled web of roots clutching the whole structure in their  iron like grip, sunlight filtering through the leaves, everything was casting a magical spell over the whole scene.  It is a sight that needs to be seen to be believed. It was an unforgettable and enchanting other-world experience.

Ta Prohm is one of the major temples constructed by King Jayavarman VII. Its Construction began in 1186 AD. Originally known as Rajavihara (Monastery of the King), Ta Prohm was a Buddhist temple dedicated to king’s mother.

A Sanskrit inscription on a stone, still in place, give details of the temple. It records that Ta Prohm was home to more than 12,500 people (including 615 dancers). 3140 villages were dedicated to the monasteries maintenance and subsistence of its inhabitants. Over all it was a very rich temple.

My heart swelled with pride when I read the notice that this temple was being restored by the Archaeological Survey of India. They have done a great job in restoring most parts of this temple complex.

Below is a very interesting picture by the Archaeological Survey of India showing previous and restored pictures of some of the areas of Ta Prohm. Second picture is one of the restored paths.

I was intrigued by the name Ta Prohm and asked our guide Syden aka Tiger its meaning. He said it means ancestor or old. Back in my hotel room when I researched further, I found out that it means “Old Brahma” or “Ancestor Brahma”. All of a sudden it dawned on me that the words Prohm and Braham were quiet similar. I am still trying to find the ‘Brahma’ connection to  this temple if any.

Sadly, Ta Prohm was looted extensively in recent years due to its relative isolation and many of its ancient  statues, stones, and inscriptions have been lost.

To be continued…..