The APSARA National Authority, in cooperation with the ASI of India, has in early 2023 started a project to renovate the southern gate of Ta Prohm Temple that collapsed due to various factors many years, said the authority in a recent news release.

This project will bring back the priceless works of Khmer ancestors and enhance the beauty of Ta Prohm Temple, the source underlined.

Mr. Sing Sood, head of the India-Cambodia Cooperation Project at Ta Prohm, said that the project to restore the southern gate of Ta Prohm began in early January 2023, and the working team does not restore only the gate, but also the 20-metre-long enclosure that falls to the ground.

He expects that in the next two years, after the efforts of experts, the south gate of Ta Prohm will be strong and beautiful again.

According to Mr. Sing Sood, firstly the restoration team needs to study the plan of the structure of the gate, excavate to research the damaged spots, prepare the assembly, and repair the stones. Then the team will strengthen the foundation and prepare the stones back to the original location. The restoration work is done by using the Anastylosis technique.

The southern gate of the Ta Prohm Temple collapsed, causing the stones to fall into the gate, he said, adding that this can be caused by the age of the construction, weather, trees, insects, and lack of preservation in the past.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press