Angkor Wat Temple

Angkor Wat temple was built by the Khmer king ‘Suryavarman II (1113 – 1150) in the first half of the 12th century. He was a great king who ruled Cambodia during the glorious time of the Khmer Empire. King Suryavarman II fought against Champa and Vietnam (1150) during his reign and we do not know the date of his death. His successor probably was king Dharanindravarman II.

Angkor means ‘City or Capital', Wat means ‘ Temple or Pagoda', thus Angkor Wat means ‘The city that is a temple'. Researchers presume that the Angkor Wat temple was dedicated to God Vishnu, who is considered to be the Supreme God of Hinduism.

According to Coedes, the French epigraphic archeologist: What we have here is not an orientation suggesting funerary rites, but a well-known architectural arrangement and plan, that cannot denote anything but a temple, If one thinks of the word ‘temple' as I do, not as a place of worship, but as the house of a god, to refuse Angkor this appellation is to deny the evidence.

Angkor Wat, covers an area of about 1km2 and is centered on a pyramid with three tiers surrounded by galleries. The first floor includes famous bas reliefs depicting various mythology Vishnuites and a scene depicting the historic parade of the armed forces before the founding of the sanctuary. A gallery on pillars voutées gives access to the second floor were once together many ex-voto. The powerful third floor of the basement door at the top five towers sanctuaries ogival forms. Among the artistic treasures of Angkor Wat, the famous Apsara Devata or illuminate their sweet smile austere walls of the most majestic temples of Angkor.

Unlike other temples, Angkor Wat has been forgotten for ever and almost always occupied. It is also a mountain temple, the completed form to cetterecherche a genuine Mount Meru.

It is the monument's most prestigious classic and perhaps the most famous art Kmher.
Surrounded by a moat which is crossed by a beautiful road, the temple-oriented West is dedicated to Vishnu.
Angkor Wat is the largest monument in Angkor Archeological site. It is the most famous temple in Cambodia and the soul of Khmer people; its three towers are shown in Cambodia 's National Flag. The temple is located just 7 kilometers from Siem Reap town to the north and only 5 kilometers from the International Siem Reap airport. It was discovered in 1860 by Henri Mouhot, a French naturalist who lost his way by chance in this area. Then many archeologists from France arrived to restore all the master pieces which remained hidden in the jungle. The Angkor Wat temple was taken care by monks and it is one of the best preserves of this site.

Symbolism
Central Temple with its towers symbolize Mount ‘Meru'. The outer wall (1025m by 800) symbolizes the 7 chain of mountains which surround Mount ‘Meru'.
Moat (1500m by 1300) that surrounds the wall symbolizes the 7 oceans which surround Mount Meru .
Causeway (200m) link to temple symbolizes the rainbow bridge which links the earth and the heaven.

Links: | Cambodia History | Cambodia History the foundation of Angkor | Cambodia History Angkor Period | Cambodia History the fall of Angkor | Angkor | Angkor Wat | Preah Vihear | Cambodian Cultural Village | Bayon Angkor Thom | Banteay Srei temple | Beang Mealea | Phnom Bakheng | Phnom Kulen | Cambodia Architecture |