Prasat Phanom Wan Nakhon Ratchasima

Prasat Phanom Wan Nakhon Ratchasima

Prasat Phanom Wan. Castle Rock is the fifth largest in Thailand. is in Ban Makha, Tambon Pho, around 15 kilometres from the city on the Nakhon Ratchasima-Khon Kaen road.  A sign on the right shows the way on a road 5 kilometres more.  This is an interesting Khmer sanctuary.  It is believed that it was built in the 15th Buddhist century.  Later during the 18th-19th centuries, a stone building was built over it.  From inscriptions found at the site, it is known that the sanctuary was used in the Hindu religion and later became a Buddhist site.  Although most of it is in ruins, there is a clear form present, like the square main pagoda facing east and a tiered pagoda in front, as well as a path linking the two structures.

To the southwest is a building of red sandstone called “Prang Noi.”  Inside is a large stone Buddha image.  A roofed sandstone walkway and a laterite wall go around the sanctuary.  A Gopura (a sanctuary doorway or porch) in the form of a tall tower is situated in all 4 directions.  Around 230 metres east of the sanctuary are traces of a moat and an earth hill that was the site of another Khmer building called “Noen Oraphim.”

The Source : Tourism Authority of Thailand