[4]: 111 After the death of Indravarman, a succession war was fought by his two sons, Yasovarman and his brother, a case of sibling rivalry.

Because of his father had sought to deny his accession, according to inscriptions cited by L.P. Briggs, "Yasovarman I ignored his claim to the throne through his father, Indravarman I, or through Jayavarman II, the founder of Angkor dynasty, and built up an elaborate family tree, connecting himself through his mother by matrilineal succession with ancient kings of Funan and Chenla.

Thus, the decision was religious: In order for a new king to prosper, he must build his own temple and when he died it must become his mausoleum [citation needed].

Second, the new capital was closer to the Siem Reap River and is halfway between the Kulen hills and the Tonlé Sap.

By moving the capital closer to the sources of water the king could reap many benefits provided by both rivers.

Yashodharapura was built on a low hill called Bakheng, and connected to Hariharalaya by a causeway.

[9]: 64–65 The Lolei, Phnom Bakheng, and the East Baray[10] are monuments to this ruler,[11]: 360–362  all located near Cambodia's national treasure, a later construction, Angkor Wat.