The restoration of the eastern dam in the Beng Mesiatea Temple in Siem Reap is expected to be completed next month.
The APSARA National Authority (Ana) said that the project for repair and strengthening important parts of the damaged Causeway has been taking for 14 months.
Boeut Sopak, a technical employee of the Department of Conservation of Monuments and preventive archeology, reported significant progress in restoration, including strengthening the north and south side, the installation of a Naga balustrade and the placement of rays and columns. The northern section is almost complete, with only minor work remaining.
The eastern dam was badly damaged before the restoration. The body of the Naga was rejected and part of the foundation weakened due to tree roots and erosion, as reported by Ana.
“The restoration initiative financed by the Mekong Lancang project began in mid-May 2024 and is expected to end in early July 2025,” said Ana yesterday on social media. “Our team aims to restore the Causeway for future generations and to gradually open them up to tourists in the course of work.”
Beng Mealea was originally developed as a Hindu temple and has Buddhist carvings. Although it is partially overgrown, it remains structurally intact, with trees and dense vegetation intertwined between its towers and courtyards. Many stones are distributed throughout the complex in large piles, and a baray (reservoir) is located in the east near several satellite temples.
Although the temple is not in the Angkor Archeological Park, it is managed and protected by Ana, which continues to carry out minor maintenance work at the location.