The main reason our group decided to go to Cambodia was to visit Angkor Wat, the largest complex of ancient Hindu (now Buddhist) temples in existence. Truly, this complex is a construction marvel, being built in 40 years during the reign of King Suryavarman II (1113-1150) compared to the estimated 300 years it would take using today's construction methods!
The name
Angok Wat means
Temple City, the name indicative of the over 1000 sandstone temples within an area of 203 acres (82 ha) surrounded by a 2 mile (3.2 km) outer wall and moat. Not only does this complex contain amazing examples of Khmer architecture -- composed of over 5 million tons of sandstone presumably transported and laid using elephants, rafts, pulleys and bamboo scaffolding -- but Angkor Wat represents Cambodia with its image on currency, the national flag and, of course, being at the center of its tourism.
Angkor Thom, the great walled capital city of the Khmer empire, was built as a square of which its sides run exactly north to south and east to west. Standing in the exact center of the walled city is the
Bayon Temple that represents the intersection of heaven and earth. Bayon is known for its huge stone faces with one facing outward and keeping watch at each compass point.
Visitors of Angkor Wat abound, from one of the first documented Western visitors António da Madalena (a Portuguese monk who visited in 1586) to current-day heads of state and close to three-quarters of a million others on an annual basis, including our small entourage. Madalena perhaps said it best that Angkor Wat
"is of such extraordinary construction that it is not possible to describe it with a pen, particularly since it is like no other building in the world. It has towers and decoration and all the refinements which the human genius can conceive of."
The remains of Angkor Wat is a unique combination of the temple mountain, the standard design for the empire's state temples, with design influences from India. In particular, the temple is a representation of Mount Meru, the home of the gods: the central towers symbolizing the five peaks of the mountain and the walls and moat surrounding mountain ranges and ocean.
I found it fascinating to see ancient architecture accommodating for the daily life of the temple city, such as large access ways for elephants. As for its citizens, access to the upper areas of the temple was progressively more exclusive, with the laity being admitted only to the lowest level. Tourists today are allowed to visit most parts of the complex and the views from the upper gallery were spectacular as expected.
Of course, the level of detail throughout Angkor Wat is amazing. It is reported that thousands of master craftsmen in the 12th century left no stone unturned. For instance, every bas relief carved image on the 3280 sq ft (1000 sq meters) of stone wall conveys a story of temple and societal life of its citizens. Pictorial images display king and commanders leading troops in war, reverence to spirit dieties, along with representations of Hindu epics and theology.
The temple complex does not only consist of temple structures but of libraries, common areas, galleries, restaurants and areas with current day vendors parading an impressive supply of goods for tourists wanting to purchase reminders of their visit.
