Baphuon (Khmer: ប្រាសាទបាពួន) is a three-tiered temple located in Angkor Thom, Cambodia. Baphuon was built in the mid-11th century as the state temple of Udayadityavarman II (ឧទ័យាទិត្យវរ្ម័នទី២) dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva.
Baphuon measures 120 metres east-west by 100 metres north-south at its base and stands 34 meters tall. The temple used to have a bronze tower on top but had gone long time ago.
The causeway of Baphuon is supported by lingam (Sanskrit: लिङ्ग literally meaning ‘sign, symbol or mark’), an abstract or aniconic representation of the Hindu deity Shiva in Shaivism.
In the late 15th century, the Baphuon was converted to a Buddhist temple. A 9 meter tall by 70 meter long statue of a reclining Buddha was built on the west side's second level.
Baphuon was built on land filled with sand, and due to its immense size the site was unstable throughout its history. Large portions had probably already collapsed by the time the Buddha was added.
