Ta keo, ancestor Keo of crystal of glass. The name Keo may also refer to the form of the temple or the place of Preah Ko Preah Keo. According to the inscription, however, the original name of the temple was Ham Sreung or Henmakiri. This Sanskrit name may describe both its form and its symbol, temple is located east of Thommanon and Chao Say Tevada on the east bank of Stung Siem Reap.

The temple was built in the late 10th to early 12th centuries by king Jayavarman Vand Suryavarman I, dedicating to Shiva Brahmanism. Had it been finished, Ta Keo, undoubtedly would have been one of finest temple at Angkor. The temple raise to the height of 22 meters to the sky, giving an impression of strength and power.

An innovation at Ta Keo is a porch at each cardinal point on the five towers of the top level. A gallery was situated on a second base and had a roof of brick which is now destroyed. Enormous blocks of feldspathic wack-a very hard to carve, greenish-grey sandstone–were cut to a regular size and places in position.

This absence of decoration gives it simplicity of design that separates it from other temples. Ta Keo temple is a replica of Mount Meru with a rectangular plan and five square towers arranged in a quincunx standing majestically on a finely molded three-tiered pedestal that is 12 meters high. Long rectangular halls on both levels probably sheltered pilgrims. Two libraries on the east side of the platform open to the west.

The upper platform is square and stands on three diminishing tiers with stairways on each side. Most the space of the upper level is occupied by the five towers, all unfinished, opening to the four cardinal points, the central sanctuary dominates the layout which is given further importance by the development of porches.

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