Prasat Kravan

Prasat Kravan (Khmer: ប្រាសាទក្រវ៉ាន់) is a small 10th century temple consisting of five reddish brick towers on a common terrace, located at Angkor, Cambodia south of the artificial lake or baray called Srah Srang. Its original Sanskrit name is unknown. The modern name in Khmer, "Prasat Kravan", means cardamom temple. The temple was dedicated to Vishnu in 921 CE, according to inscription on door jambs^[1].
The site was cleaned from vegetation in the Thirties by Henri Marchal and Georges Trouvè. Afterwards the towers were restored on Bernard Philippe Groslier's initiative from 1962 to 1966^[2], adding some new bricks which are marked with a "CA" (meaning "Conservation Angkor")^[3].
The temple is oriented to the East and surrounded by a small moat. Its exterior is striking for its classical lines and symmetry, the central and the south tower have superstructures which take advantage of false prospective by simple means of diminishing tiers. The sanctuaries interiors are remarkable for the large bas relief depictions of Vishnu and Lakshmi that have been carved into the walls of reddish brick, connected by a vegetable compound. This type of sculptured artwork rather common in Cham temples, but almost unique in known Khmer monuments^[4]

            Kravann was built by the king Harsavarman I early of 10^th century dedicated to Vishnu. Kravann was carved the figure of Vishnu and his wife Laksmei and these figures were carved in the central of brick on the interior of this monument Kravann has 5 line of brick towers on the terrace lintel and columns were built of sandstone north tower was decorated the figure of Laksmei the wife of Vishnu carrying 4 symbols of her power in her 4 hands and was flanked by kneeling admires south of tower on the wall on decoration and on the lintel decorated the figure of Vishnu on his mount Garuda.

Bas-reliefs

The bas reliefs on the interior walls of the central tower are representations of Vishnu. There are three in all:

• Four-armed Vishnu sits astride his vehicle Garuda and holding his standard appurtenances: the globe, the conch, the discus, and the baton.
• Four-armed Vishnu, again holding his four standard appurtenances, takes a large step. This image illustrates the story of Vishnu in his incarnation as Vamana the dwarf taking three great steps in order to reclaim the world from the asura Bali.
• Eight-armed Vishnu stands stiffly in the position of a statue. He is surrounded by hundreds of tiny devotees and surmounted by a crocodile or maybe a lizard. Its significance remains unknown^[5].

Relief of Vishnu on garuda carved directly out of the brick walls.

The interior walls of the northernmost tower feature a pair of bas reliefs of Lakshmi, Vishnu's consort, flanked by devotees:

• In one of the depictions, the goddess holds both the trident of Shiva and the discus of Vishnu, possibly marking her as the great goddess who transcends the duality of Saiva and Vaishnava worship.
• A more traditional depiction of Lakshmi holding lotuses is on the opposite wall.