Pre Rup temple is about 2 kilometers northeast of Srah Srang and about 500 meters south of the East Baray. The temple was built in 961 during the reign of King Rajendravarman, dedicating to Shiva Brahmanism. The boldness of the architectural design is superb and gives the temple fine balance, scale and proportion.
The temple is close in style to the East Mabon, although it was built several year later. It is a temple-mountain symbolizing Mount Meru. Up until now, Cambodians regards this temple as having funerary association, but its true function is uncertain. Nevertheless, the name Pre Rup recalls one the rituals of cremation, in which the silhouette of the body of the deceased, outlined with its ashes, is successively represented according to different orientations.
Some archaeologists believed that the large vat located at the base of the east stairway to the central area was used at cremations. Constructed of laterite with brick tower, the plan is square and comprises two ramparts with gopuras tiers serves as a pedestal for five towers, which are set out in quincunx–one in each corner and one in the center. The outer rampart is 127 by 116 meters. Within the out laterite rampart there are two group of this towers on each side of the entrance, the group share the common base.
Long hails are placed between the two rampart. In the northeast corner there is a curious small square building built it large blocks of laterite and open on all four sides. The inscription describing the foundation of the temple was found near this building. On the left and right sides of the east gopura of second rampart there are libraries high towers. They sheltered carved stones with motifs of the nine planets and the seven ascetics. In the center there is a vat between two rows of sandstone pillars. This platform was more likely to have been a base for a wooden structure or a platform a Shiva’s mount Nandi.