Sleeping women at Wat Nokor

The western doorway and pediment at Wat Nokor, Kompong Cham

The sleeping women and courtesans of the western pediment of the central sanctuary

Continuing my Wat Nokor of Kompong Cham in-depth review: The western pediment of the central sanctuary at Wat Nokor is, according to the experts, all about women, and sleeping women no less. In its two registers, the upper one shows three figures in a pavilion, the central one, Prince Siddhartha, is topped by a head crowned with a thin point or flame; the figures are seated in a relaxed, sleepy fashion. Either side of the pavilion are two kneeling women, also sleeping. In the lower register, thirteen women or courtesans have closed eyes, are half-sitting, half-kneeling, hold their head in one arm and look exhausted after completing their courtly duties. The carvings date from the 16th century. The lintel below is badly eroded but hosts a grinning kala and six medallions that have figures inside but its impossible to see what they are.
The gopuras of the first enclosure at the temple also boast some neat carving. The western gopura depicts an incomplete pediment showing the bodhisattva being tortured in the top register. In the middle, a little man appears holding a stick amongst worshippers. In the worn lintel below, worshippers pay homage to Buddha.

The badly-eroded lintel with six medallions and a grinning kala

The torture of Buddha with a series of worshippers in attendance

Another badly-eroded lintel with a scene of Buddha and worshippers