On the uppermost level is the sanctuary itself, which once enclosed a Shiva lingam that was bathed – via a system of sandstone pipes – with waters from the sacred spring that still flows above and behind the complex. The sanctuary now contains a set of unsophisticated-looking Buddha images on an altar. The brick rear section, which might have been built in the 9th century, is a cella (cell), where the holy linga was kept.
Sculpted into a large boulder behind the sanctuary is a Khmer-style Trimurti , the Hindu holy trinity of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. Further back, beyond some terracing, is the cave from which the holy spring flowed into the sanctuary.
Just north of the Shiva linga sanctuary, amid a minefield of rocks and rubble, look around for the elephant stone and the hard-to-find crocodile stone . Crocodiles were semidivine figures in Khmer culture, but despite much speculation that the stone was used for human sacrifices its function, if there was one, remains unknown. The crocodile is believed to date from the Angkor period, while the elephant is thought to date from the 16th century. Also look out for the remains of stone meditation cella and an interesting chunk of a staircase framed by two snakes.
When you've seen everything here, just sitting and soaking up the wide-angle view of the baray , the plains and the Mekong is fantastic, especially early in the morning before the crowds arrive.
