Let’s take a look at the second of the single sanctuaries at the Koh Ker complex of temples that houses a giant Linga - Prasat Linga 2 (aka Prasat Thnoeng, Prasat Balang and Monument H). Standing northeast of the Rahal, the man-made baray that acts as the central focus point for the early tenth century capital of King Jayavarman IV, it was one of five such monuments containing a monolithic Linga, which allowed sanctified water to flow over the Linga and into the Rahal. The name of Koh Ker at that time was Lingapura, or ‘city of the Linga’. It’s another square sandstone tower, open to the west with three false doors and sitting on top of a terrace platform. Almost a carbon copy of its sister Linga 1 temple that lies a hundred meters to the north, it’s roofless and inside the cella there is little room as the Linga and giant pedestal almost completely fill the space. Marginally smaller than Linga 1, the pedestal is more damaged and its spout is missing, where the water would’ve flowed out of a channel in the northern wall. The decorative standing lions have also been chiseled off the sides of the pedestal by looters. The Linga’s domed, cylindrical upper section, associated with the god Shiva, remains in quite good condition. In addition to the five sanctuaries each with a large Linga northeast of the Rahal, the state temple of Prasat Thom and its pyramid, Prasat Prang, was also famed for its four meter high Linga on top of the seven-storey structure, while dotted around the whole complex are a series of archaeological remains with sandstone pedestals and smaller linga.
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