Highlights of the Temples of ANGKOR WAT

Angkor Wat

Constructed: 12th Century

King: Suryavarman II

Religion: Hindu

In all its aspects, Angkor Wat is breathtaking. It is a shaped like a massive, three tiered pyramid crowned by five beehive-like towers which rise 65 metres above the ground. Angkor Wat is the highlight of any visit to the temples of Angkor.

At the height of Khmer dominance in this region, King Suryavarman II constructed Angkor Wat, a massive temple mountain dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu. It was his state temple, although the temple’s uncommon westward orientation suggests it may also have been his funerary temple. It is surrounded by a moat and an exterior wall measuring 1300 metres x 1500 metres. The temple itself is 1km square and has three levels crowned by a central tower. The walls are covered with bas-reliefs and carvings. Nearly 2,000 apsara carvings adorn the walls throughout the temple and are some of the finest examples of the era. It is, however, the exterior walls of the lower level which display the most extraordinary bas-reliefs, depicting stories and characters from Hindu mythology and the historical wars of it’s builder. The northern reflecting pool in front of the Angkor Wat is the most popular location from which to view the sunrise. Arrive very early, well before sunrise begins as the sun will rise behind Angkor Wat providing a silhouette of Angkor’s distinctively shaped towers against the coloured sky. Some of the best colours appear just before the sun breaks over the horizon. For optimal lighting conditions for photographing the facade of Angkor, go after 2.00 p.m. because in the morning the backlighting obscures the view.

The first level of Angkor Wat is the most artistically interesting. Most visitors begin their exploration of the temple with the bas-reliefs that cover the exterior wall of the first level, following the bas-reliefs counterclockwise around the temple. Bas-relief highlights include the mythological Battle of Kuru on the west wall; the historical march of the army of Suryavarman II against the Cham, followed by scenes from Heaven and Hell on the south wall; and the classic “Churning of the Ocean Milk” on the north wall. The temple interior is not as densely carved as the first level exterior but still displays hundreds of fine carvings. The highest point of the temple, the central tower on the third level, houses four Buddha images, each facing a different cardinal point, highlighting the fact that, although Angkor Wat was constructed as a Hindu temple, it has served as a Buddhist temple since Theravada Buddhism became Cambodia’s dominant religion in the 14th century. It is considered good luck to pay homage to all four Buddha images before departing Angkor.

Bayon

Constructed: 12th century

King: Jayavarman VII

Religion: Buddhist

The giant stone faces of the Bayon are today the most recognizable images of Khmer art. There are 37 towers, most adorned with four carved faces oriented toward the cardinal points. No-one knows for sure but they could be Loksvara, Mahayana Buddhism’s compassionate Bodhisattva or Jayavarman VII. The Bayon was Jayavarman II’s state temple and represents the pinnacle of his massive building campaign. The best art in the Bayon are the bas-reliefs on the exterior walls and on the southern wall where they depict scenes from an historical sea battle between the Khmer and the Cham. Even more interesting are scenes of everyday life, including childbirth, market scenes and passtimes such as cockfighting and chess games. The unfinished carvings on other walls possibly coincided with the death of the king. The middle of the day is best for photography at the Bayon because the surrounding jungle casts shadows early and late in the day.

Ta Prohm

Constructed: 12th to 13th centuries

King: Jayavarman VII

Religion: Buddhist

A must for photographers and romantics, this monastic complex is only partially cleared of jungle overgrowth. Massive fig and silk-cotton trees grow among the unrestored buildings, their roots entwined in the ruins, giving a "Raiders of the Lost Arc" atmosphere. Noisy birds in the treetops add to the jungle atmosphere. This temple was one of Jayavarman VII’s first major temple projects and was dedicated to his mother. Originally constructed as a Buddhist monastery, it was enormously wealthy, controlling over 3000 villages, thousands of support staff and vast hordes of treasure.

Preah Khan

Constructed: 10th century

King: Rajendravarman II

Religion: Hindu

Preah Khan is full of carvings, passages and photo opportunities. It was a Buddhist monastery and school, engaging over 1000 monks. Some of the Buddha images were intentionally defaced during the Hindu resurgence and have been crudely carved over with Bodhisattvas, lotus flowers and lingas.

Banteay Srey

Constructed: 10th century

King: Rajendravarman

Religion: Hindu

Banteay Srey means “citadel of the women”. However, this modern translation probably refers to the delicate beauty of the carvings. The walls are covered with carvings and its relatively small size, pink sandstone building material and delicate designs give a fairytale feel to the place. The colours are best early morning and late afternoon. Only discovered in 1914, the temple closes at 5.00 pm and is 38 km from Siem Reap so you need at least a half day to visit it. Drivers usually charge a bit extra to go there but, if you have time, it is well worth the effort.

Angkor Thom

Constructed: 12th to 13th centuries

King: Jayavarman VII

Religion: Buddhism

Angkor Thom was a royal city with a moat and 3km perimeter wall. It was the last capital of Angkor. After defeating the Cham invaders in 1181, Jayavarman VII constructed Angkor Thom as his new capital city. There are four gates to the city which are adorned with giant faces, as well as the Victory Gate which leads to the Royal Palace. The South Gate is often the first stop on a tour of the temples.

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