East Baray

The East baray (Khmer: បារាយណ៍ខាងកើត), or Yashodharatataka, is a now-dry baray, or artificial body of water, at Angkor, Cambodia, oriented east-west and located just east of the walled city Angkor Thom. It was built around the year 900 AD during the reign of King Yasovarman.^[1]^:113,116 Fed by the Siem Reap River flowing down from the Kulen Hills, it was the second-largest baray in the Angkor region, measuring roughly 7.5 by 1.8 kilometers and holding over 50 million cubic meters of water. Stones bearing inscriptions that mark the construction of the baray have been found at all four of its corners.^[2]^:65 The labour and organization necessary for its construction were staggering: Its dikes contain roughly 8 million cubic meters of fill.^[2]^:68

Scholars are divided on the purpose of this and other barays. By some theories, they held water for irrigation, but no inscription has been found mentioning such a function. Other theories say that barays served primarily a symbolic purpose in Khmer religious life, representing the seas of creation that surround Mount Meru, home of the Hindu gods.^[2]^:60

The East Baray today contains no water; farmers till crops on its bed. But its outlines remain clearly visible in satellite photographs. In the middle of the baray is the East Mebon temple, located on elevated ground that was an island in the days when the baray contained water.

References

↑ Coedès, George (1968). Walter F. Vella, ed. The Indianized States of Southeast Asia. trans.Susan Brown Cowing. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 978-0-8248-0368-1.
1 2 3 Higham, C., 2001, The Civilization of Angkor, London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, ISBN 9781842125847

Angkorian sites

Angkorian sites in Cambodia

Angkor

Ak Yum Angkor Wat Baksei Chamkrong Banteay Kdei Banteay Samré Banteay Srei Phnom Dei Bat Chum Chau Say Tevoda East Baray East Mebon Kbal Spean Krol Ko Neak Pean Phnom Bakheng Phnom Bok Phnom Krom Phnom Kulen Prasat Kravan Preah Khan Pre Rup Spean Thma Srah Srang Ta Keo Ta Nei Ta Prohm Ta Som Thommanon West Baray West Mebon Yasodharapura

Angkor Thom	Angkor Thom Baphuon The Bayon The Khleangs Mangalartha Phimeanakas Prasat Suor Prat Preah Palilay Preah Pithu Terrace of the Elephants Terrace of the Leper King

Roluos	Roluos Bakong Lolei Preah Ko

Elsewhere

Angkorian sites in Thailand

Isan

Khorat Plateau	Ban Anan Ban Bu Ban Chan Ban Chang Pi Ban Plai Ban Pluang Ban Samor Ban Sanom Chom Phra Don Tuan Huai Thap Than Khok Prasat Ku Ka Sing Ku San Tarat Ku Suan Tang Kuti Ruesi Ban Muang Khok Kuti Ruesi Ban Nong Bua Rai Muang Khaek Muang Tum Nang Ram Nong Plong Nong Ta Plaeng Phimai Pha Nom Wan Phnom Rung Phum Pon Pluei Noi Prang Goo Prang Phom ma Tat Ta Khwai Ta Leng Ta Muan Ta Muan Tod Ta Muen Thom Tra Piang Tia Ta Tom Thamor Sikhoraphum Wat Chao Chan Wat Dong Muang Tei Wat Kampang Lang Wat Prang Thong Wat Sa Kampaeng Noi Wat Sa Kampaeng Yai Yai Ngao

Sakonnakhon Plateau	Ban Panna Choeng Chum Dum Narai Cheng Weng Phu Pek

Elsewhere

Khao Lon
Khao Noi
Mueang Sing
Prang Khaek
Prang Sam Yod
San Pra Kan
Sdok Kok Thom
Sri Tep historical park

Angkorian sites in Laos

Oum Moung Wat Phou Rueang Hin

Disputed Angkorian sites

Cambodian–Thai border stand-off

Siem Reap Province

Capital city: Siem Reap

Districts	Angkor Chum District Angkor Thom District Banteay Srei District Chi Kraeng District Puok Thala District Kralanh District Prasat Bakong District Siem Reap District Sout Nikom District Srei Snam District Svay Leu District Varin District

Geography	Siem Reap River Tonlé Sap

Angkor Sites	Angkor Thom Angkor Wat Banteay Srei Baphuon Bayon Ta Prohm

Coordinates: 13°26′51″N 103°55′19″E / 13.44756°N 103.921909°E / 13.44756; 103.921909

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