The lions of Prasat Tao

Aren't they majestic? The two lions that sit and guard the entrance to Prasat Tao - Lion Temple - in the Central Group of temples at Sambor Prei Kuk are just wonderful. There used to be more but thieves have done their worst, though I've seen broken lion parts at the provincial museum in nearby Kompong Thom, so maybe they were once standing as proudly as the two remaining lions are. Lions historically adorn the steps leading to the temple entrance, guarding and in the case of the above, squatting with large muzzles and an ornately coiffured mane around their necks. Date-wise, we're looking at the 7th century for the construction of the site. These photos were taken on a recent visit to Kompong Thom but I fell in love with the lions, and the complex, on my first trip to Sambor Prei Kuk as far back as December 1999. Link: SPK.