Ta Prohm Kel, Angkor
Chapel for an Arogyasala or Hospital, in Ancient Angkor
The sight is located within Angkor. To prepare for your visit, read the AsiaExplorers Angkor Travel Guide for useful information. Visitors to Angkor stay at the town of Siem Reap. If you are looking for budget accommodation in Siem Reap, use the Cambodia Budget Accommodation Guide to find a place to stay.
Built in 1186 by Jayavarman VII
Ta Prohm Kel, not to be confused with Ta Prohm, is the chapel for an Arogyasala, or "houses for the sick" - hospital. Located close to Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm Kel is one of two ancient hospital chapels within Angkor region that was established by Jayavarman VII and are still standing. The other is the Chapel of the Hospital located opposite Ta Keo. They are just two of 102 chapels for Jayavarman VII's hospital across his empire.
Ta Prohm Kel, a small Angkor monument near Angkor Wat.
Ta Prohm Kel has a single, now collapsed tower, called prasat, with a doorway facing the east. The other three sides are decorated with false doors. As with the Chapel of the Hospital at Ta Keo, Ta Prohm Kel is also done in the style of the Bayon. A drainage channel, called somasutra, allows lustral water to flow out of the northern wall of the sanctuary.
How to go to Ta Prohm Kel
Ta Prohm Kel (a different monument from Ta Prohm) is 450 meters north of Angkor Wat, on the road towards Angkor Thom. Look for it on the left side of the road before reaching the foot of Phnom Bakheng. Ta Prohm Kel is an insignificant Angkor site, and is unlikely to be featured in the itinerary of packaged tours. You most likely have to explore it on your own. It is not really worth your time unless you are a serious Angkor enthusiast. The tuk tuk driver who took me, Mr Han, was able to find it, so if you require his services, you can try to contact him, Mr Han (contact details below), to see if he is available to take you.
Visitor exiting the small doorway of Ta Prohm Kel.
Exploring Angkor, Unesco World Heritage Site
AsiaExplorers provides you one of the most detailed documentation on Angkor, Unesco World Heritage Site, for you to explore from the comfort of your desktop.
Siem Reap Travel Guide
If you are visiting Angkor, it's almost definite that you will be staying in a hotel or guesthouse in Siem Reap. You will probably also need to hire a tuk tuk to take you around. Click the thumbnail on the left to view vital details to make your stay in Siem Reap more pleasant.
About the Author: AsiaExplorers is researched and written by Timothy Tye. We take reasonable care to check and verify the accuracy of the content. However, we disclaim any responsibility for any inconvenience, mishap, injury or death resulting from following the advice provided directly or indirectly by AsiaExplorers and the comments on its pages. All the photographs in AsiaExplorers are available for publication. Please contact AsiaExplorers at the following email address for your enquiries:
