Neang Khmao Temple – A Timeless Symbol of Khmer Heritage

Located in Rovieng Commune, Samrong District, Takeo Province, Neang Khmao Temple lies about 27 kilometers north of Takeo town and 52 kilometers south of Phnom Penh, just off National Road 2. Easily accessible and often paired with visits to Phnom Chiso and Tonle Bati, it is both a historical landmark and a place of living tradition.

Historical Background

Neang Khmao Temple, known as the “Temple of the Black Virgin,” is a 10th-century Khmer sanctuary built during the reign of King Jayavarman IV (921–941 AD). Constructed in the Koh Ker style, it was originally dedicated to Brahmanism before Buddhism later became dominant in the region.

The site once featured three towers aligned side by side on a single platform. Today, only two survive, both made of sandstone and brick. Though heavily weathered, the ruins still convey the strength and grandeur of early Khmer architecture.

Architecture of Neang Khmao

The temple was built mainly of brick and sandstone, materials typical of the Koh Ker period. Its original layout consisted of three prasats standing in a row on a single platform, though only two remain today. Despite erosion, faint traces of lintel carvings and bas-reliefs still reflect the artistry of early Khmer builders.

The temple now stands within the compound of Wat Neang Khmao pagoda, blending ancient ruins with modern Buddhist practice and creating a space where history and spirituality coexist.

Legends of Neang Khmao

According to local folklore, Princess Neang Khmao, daughter of King Preah Bat Sorya Teyong of Phnom Chiso, fell in love with a man named Bandit Srey. Her father disapproved of the relationship and ordered her exile, commissioning temples for her to live in. Heartbroken, she later met a monk named Keo, who eventually left the monkhood to live with her at the temple.

Another version of the legend links the site to Kali, the Hindu goddess of destruction. This connection may explain the temple’s name and its association with spiritual power, adding to its mysterious and sacred aura.

Cultural Significance

Neang Khmao Temple represents the spread of Brahmanism in Cambodia before the rise of Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism. It is a living site where myth, history, and spirituality converge, as locals still visit the surrounding pagoda for prayer and devotion. The temple also forms part of Takeo’s broader cultural landscape and is often visited alongside nearby sites such as Phnom Chiso and Tonle Bati.