Roluos (temples)

Roluos (Khmer: រលួស) is a Cambodian archeological site about 13 km east of Siem Reap along NH6. It was once the seat of Hariharalaya,^[1]: 98 the first capital of the Khmer Empire north of Tonlé Sap, although strictly speaking the first capital might have possibly been Indrapura, identifiable with Banteay Prey Nokor.^[2]

Roluos

រលួស
Lolei temple in Roluos
Roluos Location in Cambodia
Alternative name	Hariharalaya
Location	Siem Reap, Cambodia
Region	Southeast Asia
Coordinates	13°20′N 103°58′E
Type	Archaeological site
History
Builder	Jayavarman II
Material	sandstone, laterite, brick
Founded	9th century AD
Periods	Post-classical
Site notes
Condition	Ruined
Public access	Yes
Architecture
Architectural styles	Preah Ko

Among the Roluos group of temples there are some of the earliest permanent structures built by the Khmer polities. They mark the beginning of classical period of Khmer civilization, dating from the late 9th century. Some were totally built with bricks, others partially with laterite or sandstone, the first large Angkorian temple built with sandstone possibly being Ta Keo.^[3])

At present, the group is composed by three major temples: Bakong, Lolei, and Preah Ko, along with the smaller Prasat Prei Monti. At both Bakong and Lolei there are contemporary Theravada Buddhist monasteries.

There is a town named Roluos known as Phumi Roluos Chas, which is a khum (commune) of Svay Chek District in Banteay Meanchey Province, in north-western Cambodia.