Prang Ku-Ku Phra Ko Na
Prang Ku
It is located at Ban Yang Ku, Tambon Ma-ue. Prang Ku is a complex of buildings with
a plan that resembles the Khmer nursing home known as ‘Arogayasala’. It comprises
the main prang, a library, wall and entrance pavilions, and a pond outside of the wall.
The ruins are in good condition, especially the roof structure of the main prang which
still maintains its three tiers and the lotus base of the pinnacle. Other ruins of
the temple have been restored and are located in a shady environment.
Apart from this, to the southeast inside of the front wall,
there are many more archaeological finds being kept such as a sandstone lintel depicting
a personage sitting on an elephant’s or bull’s back in a niche above the Kala face.
The abbot of Wat Si Rattanaram where Prang Ku is located said the lintel belonged
to the front porch of the main prang. There are also 2 fragments of colonnette;
one with a hermit at the base, a large Siva Lingam with its receptacle – Yoni - and
a fragment of the pinnacle’s lotus base, which was adapted to be
the base of a stucco image of Phra Sangkatchai. Prang Ku was built during the 12th – 13th Century A.D.
To get there: From the city, take Highway No. 23 (Roi Et – Yasothon)
for 10 km. until reaching Thawat Buri district, then turn left for 6 km.
to Prang Ku. Or take Highway No. 2044 (Roi Et – Phon Thong) for 8 km.,
then turn right for just about 1 km. to Prang Ku.
Ku Phra Ko Na
It is situated at Ban Ku, Mu 2, Tambon Sa Khu. Ku Phra Kona comprises
three east-facing brick prangs lying in the north – south direction,
standing on a single sandstone base. They are surrounded by a boundary wall,
with entrance pavilions or Gopuras in four directions; all were made from sandstone.
The central prang was renovated in 1874 by plastering and making
the roof into tiers. Each tier has niches of Buddha images in four directions.
The front of the central prang was a ‘wihan’ of the Buddha’s footprint,
decorated with the original six-headed Naga. The other two prangs were also renovated,
but they remain in their usual styles; unlike the central prang which has been considerably changed.
The northern prang was covered with a ‘sala’ building providing shelter for a gable depicting the Ramayana.
Meanwhile, the lintel carving that represents the reclining Vishnu remains in situ above the front entrance.
The lintel of the western false door was laid on the floor;
it depicts the God Vishnu on his mount Garuda. The southern prang still has lintels above
the false doors. The one in the north depicts a deity kneeling inside
a stylised arch above the Kala face. In front, there is also
a fallen lintel depicting the God Siva on his bull. There are also some causeway boundary stones lying over there.
It is assumed that Ku Phra Kona formerly had a Naga bridge
and causeway lined with boundary stones on both sides from
the front entrance pavilion (Gopura) to the lake (Baray),
which was located about 300 metres away. All sculptural features suggest
that Ku Phra Kona probably dates from the Baphoun period, or the 11th Century.
To get there: It is 60 km. from Mueang district along Highway No. 215,
passing Mueang Suang and Suwannaphum districts. Then, take Highway
No. 214 for 12 km. Ku Phra Kona will be on the left-hand side.
There is a rubber plantation at the entrance and a lot of monkeys residing in the temple
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