KU KASING กู่กาสิงห์
Ku Kasing is another Khmer architecture having rather large size and being in good enough condition.
At present, the Eighth Fine Arts Unit is working on excavation and renovation so that one can have better
and more beautiful vision of it. This is to develop the site into another important tourist attraction in the
northeast. The remains consist of three prangs located on the same sand stone basement. There are also
viharas or rectangular buildings called "Bannalai" situated two sides infront. All the buildings are surrounded
by the walls having a niche-top entrance in each of the four directions.Outside, the wall is surrounded by a horse
shoe featured moat. The main prang or the principal building of three prangs is situated on the same base lying
in north-south direction. Its layout is of a square feature facing the east. The middle prang is bigger than the two
on both sides and there is a balcony featuring a long chamber in front. There are three doors to enter the
balcony : one front door and two side doors of the long chamber. The base of the prang was built of sand stone
having designs of carved tiered and lineate features such as lotus and kanok. Partitions were made in terms of
brick laying and plastering. In the innermost chamber a phallic symbol, the representative of the highest rank
divine (Shiva), was found. The symbol also represents richness and perfection according to the belief of
Brahminism of Saiwa Sect. Moreover, several lintels are found and one of those is carved in the feature of
Shiva mounted on the Erawan ( the 3 headed elephant ) in the crystal pavillion standing on the Nakan (a mythical
animal in Hinduism which can be seen only its face which looks like a lion) having one hand holding a garland.
At the niche gable, there is also a finding of a carved feature of God Indra mounted on the Erawan among the
Kankhot design while the two sided prangs have the same size and characteristics. The base is made of sand
stone while partitions are of brick laying having only the front door and the sacred images are placed on a
platform inside. The found artistic designs, layout patterns and archaeological objects give the idea that Ku
Kasing was built in a Khmer style of art called " Bapuan Style " dating between 1017-1087 A.D. The construction
purpose is to worship Shiva, the highest rank divine in Brahminism.