Sambor Prei Kuk restoration underway with Indian help
THE Sambor Prei Kuk National Authority (SPKNA) is to begin the process of renovating and repairing Prison Temple – or Asram Moha Russei – next month, following the signing of a March 25 memorandum of understanding with India.
SPKNA director-general Phan Nady told The Post on March 29 that the pre-Angkorian temple – located in the Sambor Prei Kuk Temple complex – is now in a dilapidated condition due to the effects of weather and human activity from many generations.
“The project to renovate and restore the Prison Temple will cost about $50,000, with the work due to begin sometime in early April. We expect it to be completed within the year,” he said.
He said Sambor Prei Kuk was an ancient city, built in the 6th and early 7th centuries during the Chenla period by King Isanavarman I. The complex consists of 293 ancient hills and temples, including Asram Moha Russei.
Nady added that all of the temples in the complex were brick structures, except for Asram Moha Russei, which is made of sandstone. The temple was built in a style similar to some that could be seen in India, which is what had attracted the Indian government to support its restoration.
Cambodian and Indian officials were discussing certain engineering aspects of the project before determining an exact start date, he said.
Chan Vitharong, director of the SPKNA’s Department of Archaeological Sites and Conservation, told The Post that after the inclusion of the temple complex as a World Heritage Site in 2017, the SPKNA had undertaken many important tasks. They had erected signage which showed the locations of the temples, installed public bathrooms and improved picnic areas at the site.
“Our team also compiled a risk map of each temple and carried out repairs on the most at risk. We are grateful for the assistance we received in this work from ICC-Angkor,” he said, referring to the International Coordinating Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of the Historic Site of Angkor.
Vitharong added that Asram Moha Russei is currently listed as a medium-risk temple.