East Mebon Temple

East Mebon Temple

East Mebon temple is about 500 meters northeast of Pre Rup temple. The temple was built in AD 952 by King Rajendravarman. The temple is similar to Pre Rup in plan, construction and decoration. A major difference, however, is that the east Mebon once stood on a small island in the middle of Yasodharatataka (the East Baray).

The only access was by boat to one of the four landing platforms, situated at the mid-points on each of the four sides of the temple. The decoration on the lintels of the temple is superior in quality of workmanship and composition to that of Pre Rup. The motifs on the false doors, with small mythical figures frolic king amongst foliage, are particularly fine.

West Mebon Temple 
West Mebon temple is located in the middle of West Baray on an island about 11 kilometers northwest of Siem Reap. The temple was built in the second half of the 11th century by King Suryavarman I, dedicating to Vishnu Brahmanism. It was originally surrounded by a square rampart with three square, sandstone gopuras and a sanctuary on one level crowned with a lotus.

Most towers have collapsed, but the three on the east side are reasonably intact. A sandstone platform at the center is linked to a causeway of laterite and sandstone that leads to the east dyke. The side of the towers are carved with lively animals set in small squares, a type of decoration found also at the Baphuon.