Mahendraparvata

Mahendraparvata is an ancient city of the Khmer Empire located on the slopes of Phnom Kulen in Cambodia. It was founded by Jayavarman II, the first king of the Khmer Empire, who was consecrated on this sacred mountain in 802 CE. The city is characterized by its elaborate grid-like network of roads, dykes, and ponds, as well as numerous temples, some of which were previously unidentified until the use of LIDAR technology. Mahendraparvata played a critical role as one of the three capitals during Jayavarman II's reign, marking the early development of the Khmer Empire. The archaeological significance of Mahendraparvata lies in its contribution to understanding the early Khmer civilization and its urban planning, religious practices, and water management strategies.