Ta Prohm Temple Tours and Activities

For beauty and romance, Ta Prohm Temple, with trees growing out of and over the ruins, and parrots flitting overhead, is difficult to beat. Ta Prohm is the modern name of the temple in the Angkor Archaeological Park which was built in the late 12th century and originally called Rajavihara. It was founded by King Jayavarman VII as a Buddhist monastery and university, before being abandoned after the fall of the Khmer empire in the 17th century. Back in its heyday, the temple would have looked very different, with walls covered in precious stones and brightly coloured bas reliefs.Unlike many temples in the Angkor complex, Ta Prohm has not been restored but has been left in much the same condition as when the French explorer Henri Mahout stumbled across the complex, revealing its existence to much of the world. The temple has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1992 and became even more famous when it was used as a backdrop to the 2001 film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider starring Angelina Jolie.Ta Prohm has 39 towers and three galleries and courtyards that are all open to be explored. The carvings that cover every surface are fascinating. Look out for one that looks like a picture of a stegosaurus: some belief that this picture serves as proof that dinosaurs roamed the earth for more longer than previously thought.As when visiting the other temples at the park, do try and visit the temple early in the morning before the crowds arrive and when the weather is a little cooler.If you need a refreshing drink, there are food and drink stands at the temple entrance.Ta Prohm is located in the eastern corner of Angkor Archaeological Park, and admission to the temple is included with the main ticket you buy to enter the park.