Protection and Conservation

The Department of Conservation and Archaeology of NAPV has started conservation and restoration project under the financial support of the International alliance for the protection of heritage (ALIPH) of Switzerland. This project is three years (2025-2028), implementing conservation and restoration activities, inter alia, removal of accumulated soil, reinforcement of the entire structure of the temple in respect to an international standard, preserving wall paintings in the interior walls and the stucco decoration on the exterior walls in order for preserving its historic value and authenticity for the next generation.

It is noted that the Prasat Kraham, 12-meter square platform and 17-meter-high, is the largest brick-built temple at Koh Ker heritage site. It was built to house an iconic colossal sandstone dancing Shiva statue of about 6meters high on a pedestal decorated with eight sides of snake and lions rampant. Moreover, surrounding the pedestal of dancing Shiva, there are four other statues – Dancing Uma, Chamunda, Mahakala and Nandykeshvara. At present, this temple has suffered damage as a result of natural and human-induced factors through explosion and excavation for valuable artifacts, causing unstable structure and cracks in walls, brick detachment, deterioration, water ingress in the wall and vegetation growth on the structure.

Thanks to the support of ALIPH for conservation and restoration of Prasat Kraham for the next generation.