Phimeanakas – the “Palace of Heaven” with a legend that has been passed down to us

The Phimeanakas – also called “Palace of Heaven” – was probably built in the 11th century by Suryavarman I and is shrouded in ancient legend.

The temple of Phimeanaka

Inside the (then golden) temple there is said to have been another secret temple. In the center of the tower of this temple, lived the spirit of a 9-headed snake named Naga, which every night transformed into a beautiful woman.

The king had to visit the tower and the woman every night and it was forbidden for anyone – including the queen – to enter the tower during this time.

This woman / naga (or because of the female form better called nagi / nagini) is here equivalent to a goddess who rules over the kingdom of Cambodia. Nagis in the broader sense are serpent deities with magical abilities that can take human form at any time and guard crossings, thresholds and doors.

Should the king miss even one night, he would bring disaster to his kingdom. On the other hand, should the woman fail to appear in one night, he would lose his kingdom.

This legend was also handed down by Chou-Takuan (or called Zhou Daguan), a Chinese diplomat from the 13th century. He also reported that the entire temple – in his time in 1296/7 – was said to be made of gold.

On the way from Baphuon to Phimeanakas