Kravan Temple: A Guide to Angkor's Hidden Gem of Brick Carvings
10th Century (921 AD)
Hindu (Dedicated to Vishnu)
Rare interior bas-reliefs carved directly onto brick.
Angkor Small Circuit, south of Srah Srang.
Among the grandeur of Angkor's stone temples, Kravan Temple stands apart. This small but stunning 10th-century monument is a rare masterpiece of brick construction, famous for its magnificent and unusual interior carvings. For lovers of art and history, Kravan is an unmissable hidden gem.
A Unique History
Unlike most major Angkorian temples, Kravan was not built by a king. It was commissioned in 921 AD by a high-ranking court official during the reign of Harshavarman I. Dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, the temple consists of a row of five reddish brick towers. It was carefully restored in the 1960s, with new bricks clearly marked to distinguish them from the originals.
The Must-See Interior Carvings
An Artistic Anomaly
What makes Kravan Temple so special are the bas-reliefs inside the main sanctuary tower. While most Khmer temples feature carvings on sandstone lintels, here the artists carved directly into the interior brick walls—a technique of incredible skill and rarity. These reliefs are the main reason to visit.
Vishnu & Lakshmi in Brick
The main tower is dedicated to Vishnu. On the interior walls, you can see large, detailed depictions of the deity. One shows Vishnu taking three great strides to reclaim the world. In the northernmost tower, you will find beautiful carvings of his consort, Lakshmi. These are considered some of the finest brick reliefs in all of Khmer art.
📸 Photographer's Tip
The carvings are inside the towers where it can be quite dark. For the best photos, visit midday when the sun is high and provides the most light into the sanctuaries. This will help you capture the incredible detail of the brickwork without needing a flash.
