BENG MEALEA – The Temple Forgotten for Centuries within the Angkor Complex

Beng Mealea Temple, presumed burial site of King Suryavarman II, is part of the Angkor complex. Today, only ruins remain after centuries of being forgotten and engulfed by the jungle.

Located 77 km from the center of Siem Reap, along the ancient Royal Road east of Angkor, Beng Mealea Temple was rediscovered by French scientists in 1954.

Though smaller than Angkor Wat, Beng Mealea is considered one of the grand temples of the Khmer Empire.

The temple features three galleries surrounding a central sanctuary, all now in ruins. The surrounding area retains only a “monastery in the shape of a cross,” reminiscent of Angkor Wat’s architecture. A wooden walkway has been built to allow visitors access to the central sanctuary and outer galleries.

To explore much of the temple, visitors must climb over collapsed stone blocks and scale walls.

Built as a Hindu temple from sandstone, Beng Mealea is now covered in moss and wrapped in dense vegetation. Numerous collapsed stones lie scattered in large piles around the site.

>>> Learn more about Angkor Wat: A Masterpiece of Khmer Civilization

The temple houses carvings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology, including the god Vishnu (protector of life and destroyer of demons), the divine bird Garuda, and the celestial nymphs Apsaras.

In the 12th century, Mahayana Buddhism gained prominence in the region. Khmer kings then allowed the addition of Buddhist motifs to the temple's original carvings centered on Vishnu in Hinduism.

From the 16th century, when Beng Mealea was abandoned, the entire site was overtaken by vegetation. Vines wrapped around the doors, tree roots stretched across the walls, and sprouted through cracks in the stones, giving the site a mystical and awe-inspiring atmosphere.

The temple was added to UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage List on March 27, 2020.

▶️ Good to Know:
To visit Beng Mealea, travelers can share a tuk-tuk for the day with others.

• Tuk-tuk cost: $40 (for 4 people)
• Entry fee to Beng Mealea: $5/person (not included in the Angkor Pass).
• Recommended itinerary: Visit Beng Mealea in the morning and Kampong Khleang in the afternoon.