Rolous Group

The Rolous Group is a collection of monuments representing the remains of Hariharalaya, the first major capital of the Angkorian-era Khmer Empire. It has become known as the “Rolous Group” due to its proximity to the modern town of Rolous. The ancient capital was named for Hari-Hara, a synthesis of the Hindu goods Shiva and Vishnu. Though there was an existing settlement in the area before the rise of Angkor, Hariharalaya was established as a capital city by Jayavarman II and served as the Khmer capital for over 70 years under four successive kings. Setting the pattern for the next four centuries, the first great Khmer temples (Bakong, Preah Ko, Lolei) and Baray (reservoir) were constructed at Hariharalaya. The last king at Hariharalaya, Yasovarman I, built the first mayor temple at Angkor, Phnom Bakheng, and moved the capital to the Bakheng area.