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The central pond at
Neak Pean
Neak Pean ("The entwined serpents") at Angkor, Cambodia is an artificial island with a Buddhist temple on a circular island in Preah Khan Baray built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. It is the "Mebon" of the Prah Khan baray (the "Jayatataka" of the inscription).[1]
[edit] Etymology
The name is derived from the sculptures of snakes (Naga) running around the base of the temple structure.
[edit] History
Some historians believe that Neak Pean represents Anavatapta, a mythical lake in the Himalayas whose waters are thought to cure all illness.[2] Neak Pean was originally designed for medical purposes, as it is one of the many hospitals Jayvarman the seventh built. It is based on the ancient Hindu belief of balance. Four connected pools represent the Water, Earth, Fire, Wind. The ancients believe that going in these pools would balance the elements in you, thus curing your disease. In the middle of the four healing ponds is the central water source. There is a statue of Bahala (Bodisavatta Guan Yin transformed into a horse), as a symbol of drowning prevention.
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