Page Navigation
Tep Pranam temple contains a large giant seated Buddha statue which is still worshipped today. You’ll often see Buddhist monks in their orange robes around Tep Pranam paying their respects to the statue.
Although located in the heart of Angkor Thom, Tep Pranam is rarely visited by tourists and is often overlooked. However, locals and Buddhist travellers often come to Tep Pranam for a blessing on their way around the temples.
Temple Facts
9th century AD
Buddhism
Yasovarman I
Unknown
Mixed
Anytime
15 - 30 Minutes
Required
More information about the Angkor Temple Pass.
Location
Tep Pranam is located inside the ancient city of Angkor Thom just north of the Terrace of the Leper King and the Terrace of the Elephants. On the opposite side of the road is the Preah Pithu group and the North Khleang. Preah Palilay is located just to the west.
Getting There
To reach Tep Pranam, keep heading north from Bayon temple. As you go past both the terraces on the left side and you’ll see a small clearing in the wall on the left. You can walk along the stone path or let your tuk tuk drive along the dirt road. You’ll see some small gift shops and restaurants on the left and right sides. Keep going straight and you’ll come across Tep Pranam.
Coordinates
13.448473, 103.8555561
Distances
Siem Reap: 11.3km
Angkor Wat: 4.3km
Preah Khan: 2.0km
Preah Pithu Group: 0.4km
Tours
Most tours will go right past Tep Pranam, but you can ask your guide to stop as it is nearby all the main temples in Angkor Thom. If you’re taking the Grand Angkor Wat Circuit Tour, then you can stop before you leave Angkor Thom by the North Gate.
If you’re taking the Small Angkor Circuit Tour, then stop by Tep Pranam after visiting the terraces.
For guests who are on a shared or group tour, then it’s unlikely that you’ll stop at Tep Pranam unless it is specifically listed on the itinerary.
Accommodation
It’s not possible to stay in the Angkor Park and most visitors will stay in a hotel in Siem Reap town. There are hundreds of hotels to choose from including small family-run guest houses to large 5-star resorts. There are often special offers throughout the year and it’s possible to find some great deals.
Why Visit Tep Pranam?
Although not a temple as such, you will have the opportunity to see the largest seated Buddha statue in the Angkor Park. You’ll often see local Cambodians, monks and Buddhist visitors worshipping the shrine. There are often monks here who can perform blessings for visitors for a small donation.
History
Not much is known about this 9th century temple. It was first built as a Buddhist shrine by King Yasovarman I in the 9th century. The temple was expanded over the following centuries with balustrades added in the 12th century and lions added in the 13th century. It’s not clear how long the current Buddha statue has been there, but it wasn’t built with the original structure.
Layout and Design
To reach the central sanctuary there is a 75m long and 8m wide laterite causeway. The causeway ends on the west side of the temple. Halfway along the causeway, there are four lions. In the second half of the causeway, you can see that each side is flanked by serpent balustrades.
The large Buddha statue sits on a pedestal which is in the centre of a raised cruciform base. The statue would have been in a wooden structure which has long since disappeared. A more recent traditional Khmer roof has been added to protect the statue.
Gallery
Did you find this Temple Guide helpful? Please share!
