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029. Ku Ka Sing Sanctuary - Roi Et Province

Title Thumbnail: A Lintel on the Front Door of the Sanctuary showned Indra on the Airavata (Erawan elephant), Hero Image: Ku Ka Sing Sanctuary Model in the branch office of The 9th Regional Office of Fine Arts Department, Ubonratchathani, access date: June 17, 2022.
029. Ku Ka Sing Sanctuary - Roi Et Province⁰¹.

First revision: Jun.08, 2022
Last change: Jul.05, 2022
Searched, gathered, rearranged, and compiled by Apirak Kanchanakongkha.

Ku (tower-shaped building) at the religious monument complex of Ka Sing (henceforth Ku Ka Sing) was constructed in the 10^th-11^th centuries AD. under the influence of Khmer culture. This ancient monument was dedicated to Shiva, a Hindu god. In 1903, a group of Laotians moved in to settle down a community near Ku Ka Sing and have lived in the area fo generations until today.

The complex of Ku Ka Sing consists of thee brick towers and two separated but associated buildings in the inner area surrounded by a U-shaped moat. This is a Baray (artificial pond or reservoir) located in the vicinity of the temple. The three towers of Ku Ka Sing are in Baphuon style of Khmer art. They are situated on the same laterite base and adorned with sandstone decorative elements. The middle tower is the main monument in which a green stone linga was found.

The Lintel of Indra on the Airavata (Erawan elephant), showned on the Left Santuacry of Ku Ka Sing, Access date: Jun.17, 2022.

Other associated buildings were built of laterite, facing west towards the towers. The temple was surrounded by laterite and brick walls in rectangular shape. There is also a laterite library facing west towards the towers. Important archaeological evidence from excavations have unearthed a gold ornament in the form of a Naga and a gold plate used in the foundation stone laying ceremony. Currently, the items are on display at Roi-Et National Museam. The notable feature of Ku Ka Sing is the lay-out of the three towers on the same laterite foundation. This practice is also found at some other Khmer tower complexes in Northeast Thailand, such as the towers of Phra Ko Na dating to the time after the 10^th century AD.

Sources, Vocabulary, & Narratives:
⁰¹. from the brochure of The 9^th Regional Office of Fine Arts Dept., Ubon Ratchathani, access date: June 17, 2022.

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