Preah Ko temple, Siem Reap

Preah Ko, also known as Sacred Bull, is an ancient temple located around 15 kilometers southeast of Angkor's main temple complex in Cambodia. It sits in what used to be the city of Hariharalaya, now part of Roluos. Built in 879 by King Indravarman I of the Khmer Empire, the temple was constructed to honor his ancestors and has connections to the Hindu god Shiva.

The name Preah Ko comes from three sandstone statues of Nandi, the white bull who is Shiva's mount, facing the temple's main towers. This site was part of King Jayavarman II's empire, who founded the Khmer empire in 802 A.D. and later established his capital in Hariharalaya. King Indravarman I, his nephew, continued his legacy. He began with Preah Ko and then built the Bakong temple-mountain. His peaceful rule and the empire's growth likely funded these projects. The site underwent restoration in the early 1990s, supported by the German government.

The temple complex features six brick towers on a sandstone base, arranged in two rows. They face east, with the central front tower being the tallest. These sanctuaries honor Indravarman’s forefathers and their wives. The central front tower is dedicated to Jayavarman II, the left one to Prithivindreshvara (Indravarman’s father), and the right one to Rudreshvara (his grandfather). The three back towers honor their wives. Each of the main towers showcases imagery of Shiva.