Neak Pean. Jayavarman VII, Late 12th century

A cruciform arrangement of ponds with a cicular islan in the middle. It may represent the Himalayan lake of Anavatapa, famous for its healing properties and as the source of the four great rivers. These rivers symbolicall flow through fountainheads: mouths of a lion, elephant, horse and ox, at the four side of the ponds. Originally a Hindu site.
Zhou Daguan gave a precise description of its location.
Two nagas circle the bottom of the island. A small chapelthat has one of the heads is visible on the far left. There are three other chapels, each with one of the sculpted fountainheads.
See 0662 for a close-up of relief of Lokesvara on south side of the sanctuary.