 The
temples of Angkor were built between the
7th and 11th centuries during the peak of
an incredible creative and technological
realisation of the Cambodian people. The
leaders of the Khmer empire ruled over a
massive area of territory which extended
itself over Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and
Cambodia.
Over time, the ruins were all but swallowed
up by dense jungle. The myth of an ancient
civilization lost to nature became popular,
but in fact, Angkor was never lost as such,
rather it became less and less accessible.
It was still known locally as a place of
pilgrimage and remained a vague memory in
the minds of European missionaries. It is
claimed that the last Kingdom was re-discovered
by French naturalist Henri Mouhot in January
1860.
Whether or not the Kingdom was ever lost
is a matter of much debate, what is not
in question is the excitement created from
the posthumous publishing of Mouhot's journals
and the enormous Western interest that was
triggered in what has become Asia's single
most remarkable archaeological site.
The Ancient temples of Angkor.
 ANGKOR
WAT
Angkor Wat was built in the 12th century by
King Suryavarman II and is the largest religious
artefact in the entire world. It was originally
built for worship to the Hindu gods and is
without doubt one of the most breathtaking
architectural masterpieces in the world today.
BAYON
The Bayon temple is a three-tiered pyramid
with fifty-four towers and is quite an amazing
sight. Each of these towers is carved to depict
over two hundred huge enigmatic faces of Avalokitesharva
that bear down on you wherever you turn.
 TA
PROHM
This is one of the most spectacular temples
in the Angkor area. Moss and gnarled and entwined
tree roots have broken their way through the
centuries old stonework and cover this temple.
Ta Prohm is both mysterious and fascinating.
BANTEAY SREI
Banteay Srei is considered by many to be
one of the finest and elaborate temples
of Angkor. Set far away from the main temple
area, the reliefs portraying the Ramayana
in the pink sandstone are fine and intricate.
The citadel of women, as it is also known,
is fascinating because of its remarkable
state of preservation. |
