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