The first phase of restoration work on the ancient drainage system featuring a Makara sculpture in the famed Angkor Archaeological Park in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province has been successfully completed, the APSARA National Authority (ANA) said in a news release on Wednesday.

Makara is a legendary sea creature in Hindu mythology. The crocodile-like sea dragon serves as a guardian of gateways and thresholds, especially in throne rooms and temples, and works as transport for the river goddess Ganga and the sea god Varuna.

Boeut Sopak, an ANA engineer, said the restoration project, initiated in mid-May 2024, was finalized in November 2024, focusing on an 18-meter section of the Makara-shaped drainage system.

She said the restoration team undertook several tasks, including collecting scattered stones, excavating the area, conducting research, and registering the stones.

"They repaired and reinforced the damaged stones and reorganized the body of the Makara," she said. "Additionally, the team studied the foundation to ensure the sculpture's strength and durability, addressing water flow issues that had previously compromised the integrity of the structure."

Sopak said prior to the restoration, the condition of the stone sculptures had deteriorated significantly, as the body had shifted from its original location, with natural stones no longer functioning as a drainage system due to age and lack of maintenance.

She added that erosion from water had further weakened the foundation and displaced supporting stones.

"With the completion of this renovation, the APSARA National Authority has restored a large and rare single Makara sculpture, which is now accessible for tourists," she said.

This site also features dams, diving areas, and animal sculptures, as well as quarries used for building ancient temples, she added.

Sopak said in conjunction with the restoration of the Makara sculpture, the ANA is also working on improving access roads to the location for easier travel.

The Makara sculpture, an ancient dam, is situated approximately three kilometers southwest of Beng Mealea temple in the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park, which is the most popular tourist destination in the Southeast Asian country.

The 401-square-km Angkor is home to 91 ancient temples, which had been built from the ninth to the 13th centuries.

The ancient park attracted 774,203 international tourists during the January-October period of 2024, generating 36 million U.S. dollars in revenue from ticket sales, according to the state-owned Angkor Enterprise. 

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