This is the western face of Bakong, Indravarman's state temple dedicated in 881. The second Temple of the Roluos group, Bakong is the first of the Khmer temples built as a microcosm of Mount Meru, the axis mundi of Hindu and Buddhist cosmology, and possibly the first Khmer attempt at building a temple-mount. The five level pyramid at its center is constructed solely of sandstone, and mimics the world pillar of Meru which is home to the five categories of living beings. Indravarman dedicated Bakong to Siva, the principle god of the Khmer devaraja cult at the time. The Bakong is at the same time a representation of Mount Meru, as well as the Siva-Linga associated with Indravarman and his kingship. The importance of Siva to Indravarman and his Bakong is also apparent in the statues of Nadin, Siva's sacred bull who guards the cardinal points of the Bakong complex. The architectural immensity of Bakong established the royal Khmer cult of the devaraja like no temple had previously. This photo is taken from the eastern approach which leads to the main gopura (entrance portal). The bamboo polls seen leaning on the south side of the western wall may be remnants of continuing renovation, the majority of which (that rebuilt the entire temple from ruins) took place from 1935-1943 under French oversight.