Jewels of Asia (Angkor Wat) - 2001

On our way back from Japan we planned to take a short holiday that included Phuket in Thailand and Angkor Wat in Siem reap in Cambodia. Our trip to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat temple was inspired by our friends who went there recently. We flew in from Phuket directly to Siem reap. Angkor Wat is a Hindu-Buddhist temple complex in Cambodia.

Our Trip

We stayed at a modest hotel in Siem Reap. As advised by friends, we used to go for our sight seeing in two sessions - morning between 10 in the morning till 1 in the afternoon. After that it was lunch break. We picked up a variety of fruits on our way back, had a light lunch, and rested. After that, we were ready to go back.

Angkor Wat - This was our first day of sightseeing. Our guide was a young Cambodian who spoke good English. The morning was spent walking around the temple. Looking at Ramayan and Mahabharat depicted in stone in a far away country. We climbed up and down as much as we could, sometimes going back to see the the same thing for the second time. In the evening our guide took us to climb a small hill standing across from the temple to see it in the setting Sun. As we were walking up the hill, we heard a musical sound like ringing of bells in a temple . Our guide told us this was the sound of Bell Cicadas . I am familiar with Cicadas but never heard of Bell Cicada

Importance of Angkor Wat

If I have to write about Angkor Wat I would say it is difficult to describe. It’s something to be seen to be believed. So in brief I will write a paragraph to describe the importance of Angkor Wat and reasons for it’s glory.

Angkor, Cambodia's is in northern province of Siem Reap. Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Stretching over some 400 km2, including forested area. Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations. 

The city of Angkor served as the royal center from which a dynasty of Khmer kings ruled one of the largest, most prosperous, and most sophisticated kingdoms in the history of Southeast Asia. The Khmer Empire of the 9th-14th centuries encompassed much of South-east Asia and played a formative role in the political and cultural development of the region. All that remains of that civilization is its rich heritage of cult structures in brick and stone. For several centuries Angkor, was the centre of the Khmer Kingdom. With impressive monuments, several different ancient urban plans and large water reservoirs, the site is a unique concentration of features testifying to an exceptional civilization. The influence of Khmer art as developed at Angkor was a profound one over much of South-east Asia and played a fundamental role in its distinctive evolution.

From the end of the 9th century until early in the 13th century, numerous construction projects were undertaken. Temples such as Angkor Wat, the Bayon, Preah Khan and Ta Prohm, are examples of Khmer architecture, The architecture and layout of the successive capitals bear witness to a high level of social order and ranking within the Khmer Empire. Angkor is therefore a major site exemplifying cultural, religious and symbolic values, as well as containing high architectural, archaeological and artistic significance.

It is one of the most important archaeological sites of Southeast Asia. It extends over approximately 400 square kilometres and consists of scores of temples. Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations.

Angkor Wat - The most notable temple is Angkor Wat. It was built in the 12th century by Suryavarman II as a vast funerary temple within which his remains were to be deposited was built century by King Suryavarman II  But, it is now famous as a Hindu-Buddhist temple complex . The vast religious complex of Angkor Wat comprises more than a thousand buildings, and it is one of the greatest cultural wonders of the world. Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious structure, covering some 400 acres (160 hectares), and marks the high point of Khmer architecture. There are 1,200 square meters of carved at Angkor Wat, representing eight different Hindu stories. Perhaps the most important narrative represented at Angkor Wat is the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, which depicts a story about the beginning of time and the creation of the universe.

The Angkor complex represents the entire range of Khmer art from the 9th to the 14th centuries, and includes a number of indisputable artistic masterpieces (e.g. Angkor Wat, the Bayon, Banteay Srei).

All of the original religious motifs derived from Hinduism, and the temple was dedicated to the gods Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu. The five central towers of Angkor Wat symbolize the peaks of Mount Meru, which according to Hindu mythology is the dwelling place of the gods. The mountain is said to be surrounded by an ocean, and the complex’s enormous moat suggests the oceans at the edge of the world. A 617-foot (188-meter) bridge allows access to the site. The temple is reached by passing through three galleries, each separated by a paved walkway. The temple walls are covered with bas-relief sculptures of very high quality representing Hindu gods and ancient Khmer scenes as well as scenes from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.

After the Cham people of modern-day Vietnam sacked Angkor in 1177, King Jayavarman VII (reigned 1181–c. 1220) decided that the Hindu gods had failed him. When he built a new capital nearby, Angkor Thom, he dedicated it to Buddhism. Thereafter, Angkor Wat became a Buddhist shrine, and many of its carvings and statues of Hindu deities were replaced by Buddhist art.

In the early 15th century Angkor was abandoned. Still Theravada Buddhist monks maintained Angkor Wat, which remained an important pilgrimage site and continued to attract European visitors. Angkor Wat was “rediscovered” by explorer Henri Mouhot after the French colonial regime was established in 1863.

In 1992 the Angkor complex, which included Angkor Wat, was designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO and was immediately added to the list of World Heritage in Danger. In the ensuing years, restoration efforts increased, and Angkor was removed from the danger list in 2004. Today Angkor Wat is one of the most important pilgrimage shrines in Southeast Asia and a popular tourist attraction. The temple complex appears on the Cambodian flag.

Angkor Thom

Angkor Thom meaning ( “Great City”), alternatively Nokor Thom  located in present-day Cambodia was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer Empire. It was established in the late twelfth century by King Jayavarman VII.  The site is one of the major tourist attractions of Southeast Asia.The city lies on the west bank of the Siem Reap River, a tributary of Tonle Sap, about a quarter of a mile from the river. The south gate of Angkor Thom is 7.2 km north of Siem Reap, and 1.7 km north of the entrance to Angkor Wat.

It’s known for its stunning entrance gates, flanked by rows of gods and demons. Inside, you'll find the Bayon Temple, famous for its massive stone faces that are believed to represent the Buddhist deity Avalokiteshvara or King Jayavarman VII, who commissioned it.  It covers an area of 9 km², within which are located several monuments from earlier eras as well as those established by Jayavarman and his successors. At the centre of the city is Jayavarman’s state temple, the Bayon, with the other major sites clustered around the Victory Square immediately to the north.

There are gates at each of the cardinal points, from which roads lead to the Bayon at the centre of the city. As the Bayon itself has no wall or moat of its own, the walls of the city are interpreted by archaeologists to represent for the temple.

Ta Prohm

Ta Prohm just outside of the royal city of Angkor Thom.

Undoubtedly the most atmospheric ruin at Angkor, Ta Prohm should be high on the hit list of every visitor. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it has been swallowed by the jungle, and looks very much the way most of the monuments of Angkor appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them.Ta Prohm is often called the "Tomb Raider" temple due to its appearance in the famous movie. Unlike most temples, it has been left largely unrestored, allowing jungle vines and massive tree roots to intertwine with the stone structures. This mix of architecture and nature gives it an otherworldly charm.

Time permitting there are several more temples -  Banteay Srei, Preah Khan, Phnom Bakheng  Pre Rup and Ta Som