The foremost monument of ancient Khmer culture is of course Angkor Wat, reputed to be the largest religious building in the world owing to the enormous expanse of the complex, surrounded by a moat (itself of impressively huge dimensions) which is normally the first glimpse of ancient Angkor for visitors travelling to the archaeological park from nearby Siem Reap. It is one of civilisation's greatest monuments, a massive testament in stone to the power of faith and Khmer rulers.
The temple was founded in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu. It was only at the end of the century that Buddhism began to replace Hinduism as the chief form of worship here as Cambodia shifted from a Hindu culture to a Buddhist one. As a result there is much in the temple's iconography that reflects this original purpose with extensive scenes from Hindu mythology such as the Churning of the Sea of Milk, the most famous of the many reliefs that are found in the seemingly endless long galleries that surround the central structure of the temple.
Through the vast expanses of endless courts and corridors one reaches the nucleus of the temple with its famous five-towered summit, built in the form of one of Angkor's 'temple-mountains', a huge stone terrace which can be ascended (via perilously steep staircases!) to reach the group of conical towers (or 'prangs') that dominate the complex. This forms the architectural climax of the temple and gives it its iconic appearance which features as the centrepiece of the Cambodian flag.
Throughout the temple complex are superb carvings and reliefs, the great narrative walls of reliefs found in the surrounding galleries would repay many hours of study alone, whilst the frequent appearance of graceful female Apsara figures adorns and enlivens so much of the exterior of the structures. The relief carvings throughout are of very high quality and both sculptures and structures are a wonderul tribute to Khmer artistry.
There is much more to see in Angkor beyond Angkor Wat itself, but this is the greatest of temples that no visitor to Cambodia should miss.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor_Wat
Tags: Angkor Cambodia Angkor Wat temple ancient Khmer architecture
© All Rights Reserved
The foremost monument of ancient Khmer culture is of course Angkor Wat, reputed to be the largest religious building in the world owing to the enormous expanse of the complex, surrounded by a moat (itself of impressively huge dimensions) which is normally the first glimpse of ancient Angkor for visitors travelling to the archaeological park from nearby Siem Reap. It is one of civilisation's greatest monuments, a massive testament in stone to the power of faith and Khmer rulers.
The temple was founded in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu. It was only at the end of the century that Buddhism began to replace Hinduism as the chief form of worship here as Cambodia shifted from a Hindu culture to a Buddhist one. As a result there is much in the temple's iconography that reflects this original purpose with extensive scenes from Hindu mythology such as the Churning of the Sea of Milk, the most famous of the many reliefs that are found in the seemingly endless long galleries that surround the central structure of the temple.
Through the vast expanses of endless courts and corridors one reaches the nucleus of the temple with its famous five-towered summit, built in the form of one of Angkor's 'temple-mountains', a huge stone terrace which can be ascended (via perilously steep staircases!) to reach the group of conical towers (or 'prangs') that dominate the complex. This forms the architectural climax of the temple and gives it its iconic appearance which features as the centrepiece of the Cambodian flag.
Throughout the temple complex are superb carvings and reliefs, the great narrative walls of reliefs found in the surrounding galleries would repay many hours of study alone, whilst the frequent appearance of graceful female Apsara figures adorns and enlivens so much of the exterior of the structures. The relief carvings throughout are of very high quality and both sculptures and structures are a wonderul tribute to Khmer artistry.
There is much more to see in Angkor beyond Angkor Wat itself, but this is the greatest of temples that no visitor to Cambodia should miss.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor_Wat
Tags: Angkor Cambodia Angkor Wat temple ancient Khmer architecture
© All Rights Reserved
The foremost monument of ancient Khmer culture is of course Angkor Wat, reputed to be the largest religious building in the world owing to the enormous expanse of the complex, surrounded by a moat (itself of impressively huge dimensions) which is normally the first glimpse of ancient Angkor for visitors travelling to the archaeological park from nearby Siem Reap. It is one of civilisation's greatest monuments, a massive testament in stone to the power of faith and Khmer rulers.
The temple was founded in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu. It was only at the end of the century that Buddhism began to replace Hinduism as the chief form of worship here as Cambodia shifted from a Hindu culture to a Buddhist one. As a result there is much in the temple's iconography that reflects this original purpose with extensive scenes from Hindu mythology such as the Churning of the Sea of Milk, the most famous of the many reliefs that are found in the seemingly endless long galleries that surround the central structure of the temple.
Through the vast expanses of endless courts and corridors one reaches the nucleus of the temple with its famous five-towered summit, built in the form of one of Angkor's 'temple-mountains', a huge stone terrace which can be ascended (via perilously steep staircases!) to reach the group of conical towers (or 'prangs') that dominate the complex. This forms the architectural climax of the temple and gives it its iconic appearance which features as the centrepiece of the Cambodian flag.
Throughout the temple complex are superb carvings and reliefs, the great narrative walls of reliefs found in the surrounding galleries would repay many hours of study alone, whilst the frequent appearance of graceful female Apsara figures adorns and enlivens so much of the exterior of the structures. The relief carvings throughout are of very high quality and both sculptures and structures are a wonderul tribute to Khmer artistry.
There is much more to see in Angkor beyond Angkor Wat itself, but this is the greatest of temples that no visitor to Cambodia should miss.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor_Wat
Tags: Angkor Cambodia Angkor Wat temple ancient Khmer architecture
© All Rights Reserved
Thankfully I was recovering from my illness just in time to explore Angkor Wat!
The foremost monument of ancient Khmer culture is of course Angkor Wat, reputed to be the largest religious building in the world owing to the enormous expanse of the complex, surrounded by a moat (itself of impressively huge dimensions) which is normally the first glimpse of ancient Angkor for visitors travelling to the archaeological park from nearby Siem Reap. It is one of civilisation's greatest monuments, a massive testament in stone to the power of faith and Khmer rulers.
The temple was founded in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu. It was only at the end of the century that Buddhism began to replace Hinduism as the chief form of worship here as Cambodia shifted from a Hindu culture to a Buddhist one. As a result there is much in the temple's iconography that reflects this original purpose with extensive scenes from Hindu mythology such as the Churning of the Sea of Milk, the most famous of the many reliefs that are found in the seemingly endless long galleries that surround the central structure of the temple.
Through the vast expanses of endless courts and corridors one reaches the nucleus of the temple with its famous five-towered summit, built in the form of one of Angkor's 'temple-mountains', a huge stone terrace which can be ascended (via perilously steep staircases!) to reach the group of conical towers (or 'prangs') that dominate the complex. This forms the architectural climax of the temple and gives it its iconic appearance which features as the centrepiece of the Cambodian flag.
Throughout the temple complex are superb carvings and reliefs, the great narrative walls of reliefs found in the surrounding galleries would repay many hours of study alone, whilst the frequent appearance of graceful female Apsara figures adorns and enlivens so much of the exterior of the structures. The relief carvings throughout are of very high quality and both sculptures and structures are a wonderul tribute to Khmer artistry.
There is much more to see in Angkor beyond Angkor Wat itself, but this is the greatest of temples that no visitor to Cambodia should miss.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor_Wat
Tags: Angkor Cambodia Angkor Wat ancient Khmer temple architecture
© All Rights Reserved
The foremost monument of ancient Khmer culture is of course Angkor Wat, reputed to be the largest religious building in the world owing to the enormous expanse of the complex, surrounded by a moat (itself of impressively huge dimensions) which is normally the first glimpse of ancient Angkor for visitors travelling to the archaeological park from nearby Siem Reap. It is one of civilisation's greatest monuments, a massive testament in stone to the power of faith and Khmer rulers.
The temple was founded in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu. It was only at the end of the century that Buddhism began to replace Hinduism as the chief form of worship here as Cambodia shifted from a Hindu culture to a Buddhist one. As a result there is much in the temple's iconography that reflects this original purpose with extensive scenes from Hindu mythology such as the Churning of the Sea of Milk, the most famous of the many reliefs that are found in the seemingly endless long galleries that surround the central structure of the temple.
Through the vast expanses of endless courts and corridors one reaches the nucleus of the temple with its famous five-towered summit, built in the form of one of Angkor's 'temple-mountains', a huge stone terrace which can be ascended (via perilously steep staircases!) to reach the group of conical towers (or 'prangs') that dominate the complex. This forms the architectural climax of the temple and gives it its iconic appearance which features as the centrepiece of the Cambodian flag.
Throughout the temple complex are superb carvings and reliefs, the great narrative walls of reliefs found in the surrounding galleries would repay many hours of study alone, whilst the frequent appearance of graceful female Apsara figures adorns and enlivens so much of the exterior of the structures. The relief carvings throughout are of very high quality and both sculptures and structures are a wonderul tribute to Khmer artistry.
There is much more to see in Angkor beyond Angkor Wat itself, but this is the greatest of temples that no visitor to Cambodia should miss.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor_Wat
Tags: Angkor Cambodia Angkor Wat ancient Khmer temple architecture
© All Rights Reserved