Preah Palilay

Preah Palilay is a Buddhist temple within the royal enclosure of Angkor Thom, Cambodia, likely built in the late 12th century, possibly by King Jayavarman VII or Jayavarman VIII. The tower may date to the 12th century while the gopura was added in the 13th-14th centuries. A 30-metre cruciform terrace with seven-headed naga balustrades leads to the sandstone gopura, whose pediments depict Buddhist scenes including Buddha subduing the elephant Nalagiri. The central sanctuary contains a 5-metre square chamber opening to the four cardinal points. Silk-cotton trees grow from the crumbling base.