4432 view · 21 Feb 2024
#Thailand#Buri Ram#Ban Mai Chaiyaphot#Attraction The Prang Ku Suan Tang is a Khmer art archaeological site. It consists of 3 castles that was built by bricks and arranged in a north-south direction on the same laterite pedestal. All of building are turned to the east, There is one of door way and the other 3 doors are solidify, flat and opaque, looks like a closed door, called The False door. The Principal Tower is enormous rectangle. There is a porch protruding at pediment, north false door on 3 sides, there is a protruding appearance and a stone slab supports it.
The Prang Ku Suan Tang has an appearance like the other Khmer style archaeological sites in Thailand which quite unusual know about the history. Besides, some historic site that was recorded such as Prasat Sa Kamphaeng Yai, Uthumphon Phisai district, Si Sa Ket province. But The Ku Suan Tang did not appear anything, when it was built and also who built it up.
Archaeologists expected that this pagoda is about 1,000 years old. The principal pagoda has a lintel in the image of Shiva Natraj. and other gods who playing music for example, Phra Nal beat the drum, Phra Phrom beat the cymbal, Phra Uma holding a human leg cane on, etc. and other sides of lintel was carved into various mythologica’s god figures such as Vishnu reclining on the serpent Shesha , Kumaravatra, Churning of the Milk Ocean, VAMANA AVATAR, Indra rode the Erawan elephant, the fay reside on kirtimukha, etc. Unfortunately, unfortunately, some lintels were stolen and sold abroad. However, some of the pieces were returned. The exhibition is available for viewing at the Phimai National Museum in Nakhon Ratchasima province.
The Prang Ku Suan Tang is a building for Hinduism ceremony since the reign of The Jayavarman II.
on the other hand, in the reign of Jayavarman VII, he respected the Mahayana Buddhism, Vajrayana Sect. This pagoda is a Buddhism religious activity instead. In 8th March1935, this pagoda was registered as a historic monument. At present, it is an archaeological site is protected by the law on antiques and objects of art under the responsibility of the 12thThe Fine Arts Department in Nakhon Ratchasima Province.
However, The remaining seven lintels were preserved at the Phimai National Museum. Khon Kaen National Museum and the Bangkok National Museum. Pattern and stories that were carved on lintel, It can compare with the other one then it is possible to determine the age that the Ku Suan Tang was built around 17th Buddhist century, due to Brahmanism or Hinduism, It is an art that is similar to the Khmer art of Nakhon Wat.
The remaining artworks of Prang Ku Suan Tang at present are The 3 castles that were made by bricks, which are arranged on the same laterite from north to south, size 31.76 x 25.40 meters and east facing. There is only one stair in the middle of the front.
The main sanctuary located in the center, there is a porch protruding towards the front. Moreover, there is only one doorway because another 3 are false doors. The castle that were located at the left and right are smaller than the center one. And also have a one doorway with the others three sides are flat walls.
The Library, in front of the castle is a library that was built by laterite with 2 figures, recently, just only base that is remaining.
The ancient pond, there is a square pond where was surrounded by earthen dyke, size 42 x 32 meters located in the southeast area. Now, it becomes shallow pond, only few that remain visible.
The art object, there are sand stone antiques for example Chom Molee (the top of stupa), Ante fix and holy water groove. Those are dilapidated and the patterns are fading way because it was left for long time.
The seven lintels were founded in the Suan Ku Taeng. These lintel are preserved in the national museum for three places such as Phimai National Museum, there are five pieces, Vishnu Triwikrom or Yang Sam Koom , Kumaravatra of Vishnu, Churning of the Milk Ocean, Shiva Natraj, Indra rode on the kirtimukha(carved relief)
A piece in Khon Kaen National museum is Indra rode the Erawan elephant.
One piece in National Museum Bangkok is Vishnu reclining on the serpent Shesha.
These seven pieces of lintel are very important to decorate the doorway of castle. The lintel has been carved into patterns and stories exquisitely beautiful, as a result, these pattern and stories that was carved on the lintel that is an important tool for studying the evolution of patterns. Until it can be used to accurately determine the age of the ancient Khmer site.
Reference
Ku Suan Tang school (n.d.) An Exhibition documents Prang Ku Suan Taeng and Bun Bang Fai Festival.
Ku Suan Taeng School, The Secondary Educational Service Area Office 32, Ministry of Education.