Neak Pean temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia is actually represent the lake of Anavatapta (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anavatapta) or Lake Manasarovar (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Manasarovar) near mount Kailash (Tibet). This lake is described in Trai Phumi (Buddhism bible and Hindu bible), as the source of four rivers, Ganges (east-elephant), Indus(south-lion), Oxus (west-horse) and Huang He (north-ox). Neak Pean temple has a large lake in the center which flow the water from the mouth of Human (Not OX), Horse, Lion and Elephant; but the direction are not the same to the one in Trai Phumi. In the document, the lake is described as having cold water for the whole year thanks to a tall mountain that making shadow on the lake escaping direct sunlight to the lake.
In a tale, the lake is the place where a pair of Naga living, it was why even the Neak Peak temple is represents the lake in Tibet; we also find a pair of sandstone Naga surrounding the main temple; which giving the name to the temple, Neak Pean, meaning a temple surrounded by Naga. In the same tale, telling that the water from the lake can cure many different illness, it is the same for Neak Pean temple that is known to the researcher to use as a main hospital in the Angkor era, and even until now many local people still believe that the water in the small pond surround the temple can use to cure many different illness as well.
The temple situates in the middle of a large water reservoir which was later occupied by forest; and now they just irrigated water to the reservoir; it was why many forest growing there died out making another nice view surrounding the temple. Neak Pean temple is just a small temple comparing to the other temple in Angkor area; but it has a unique character that make the temple is counted as a temple that visitors should visit if they spend around 2-3 days visiting Angkor.
Another thing, in the new year, before goddesses come to take care of the earth, they go to have a bath in the water stream flows from the mouth of ox first.
In a traditional Khmer song, the name of the lake is mentioned as having cold and fresh water.
At least we can learn that our ancient time building construction are still passing into knowledge from generation to generation, we just don't have the basic knowledge of those to catch up.
A new wood bridge connecting from the mainland crossing the reservoir to the temple
The main temple of Neak Pean
Anavatapta lake in the color painting book of Trai Phumi
The plan of Neak Pean temple
