Angkor in
Cambodia is a complex of religious temples at the capital of the Khmer Empire
and is the most important archaeological site in the region. The most famous of
these temples is Angkor Wat, a Hindu
temple built under the rule of King Suryavarman II in the Temple Mountain architectural
style. Angkor Wat, which means Ctiy of Temples in Khmer, was the state temple
and capital city, and later became a mausoleum for Suryavarman II.
Angkor Wat differs from many other temples because it is oriented
to the west rather than the east. This could have been because the king wanted
it to be a burial temple for himself, or it may have been because it was
dedicated to the Hindu God Vishnu, who has associations with the west.
Representing Mount Meru, the temple is surrounded by a rectangular
moat with entrances on the west and east, constructed in a mountain-like
pyramidal shape, crowned by exactly five towers, symbolizing the five peaks of
Mount Meru. A statue of Vishnu, called Ta Reach is among the artwork and many
decorations around Angkor Wat.
Around 5 million tons of sandstone was used in the construction of
the temple complex. The sandstone was transported from a quarry located 25
miles away. An interesting fact about the raw material used in construction is
that the Khmer bricks were bound together invisibly by applying a vegetable
compound instead of the mortar.
After
King Suryavarman II’s death in around 1150, construction on the temple ended.
It was conquered and later restored by King Jayavarman VII, who built a new
temple, Bayon, and moved the new state capital to Angkor Thom. Angkor Wat is the biggest tourist attraction in the country, and has become an
important part of Cambodian history and culture.
ANGKOR WAT was listed in World Wonder List
Angkor Wat, in its beauty and state of preservation, is
unrivaled. Its mightiness and
magnificence bespeak a pomp and a luxury surpassing that
of a Pharaoh or a Shah Jahan, an impressiveness greater than that of the
Pyramids, an artistic distinctiveness as fine as that of the Taj Mahal.
Angkor
Wat is located about six kilometers (four miles) north of Siem Reap, south of
Angkor Thom. Entry and exit to Angkor Wat can only be access from its west
gate. Angkor Wat was built in the first half of the 12th
century (113-5BC). Estimated construction time of the temple is 30 years by
King Suryavarman II, dedicated to Vishnu (Hindu), replica of Angkor Thom style
of art.
BACKGROUND
Angkor Wat, the largest monument of the Angkor group and
the best preserved, is an architectural masterpiece. Its perfection in
composition, balance, proportions, relief's and sculpture make it one of the
finest monuments in the world.
Wat is the Khmer name for temple (the French spelling is
"vat "), which was probably added to "Angkor "when it
became a Theravada Buddhist monument, most likely in the sixteenth century.
After 1432 when the capital moved to Phnom Penh, Angkor Wat was cared for by
Buddhist monks.
It is generally accepted that Angkor Wat was a funerary
temple for King Suryavarman II and oriented to the west to conform to the
symbolism between the setting sun and death. The bas-reliefs, designed for
viewing from left to right in the order of Hindu funereal ritual, support this
function.
ARCHITECTURAL PLAN
The plan of Angkor Wat is difficult to grasp when walking
through the monument because of the vastness. Its complexity and beauty both
attract and distract one's attention. From a distance Angkor Wat appears to be
a colossal mass of stone on one level with a long causeway leading to the
center but close up it is a series of elevated towers, covered galleries, chambers,
porches and courtyards on different levels linked by stairways.
The height of Angkor Wat from the ground to the top of
the central tower is greater than it might appear: 213 meters (699 feet),
achieved with three rectangular or square levels (1-3) Each one is
progressively smaller and higher than the one below starting from the outer
limits of the temple.
Covered galleries with columns define the boundaries of
the first and second levels. The third level supports five towers –four in the
corners and one in the middle and these is the most prominent architectural
feature of Angkor Wat. This arrangement is sometimes called a quincunx.
Graduated tiers, one rising above the other, give the towers a conical shape
and, near the top, rows of lotuses taper to a point.
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The overall profile imitates a lotus bud, Several
architectural lines stand out in the profile of the monument. The eye is drawn
left and right to the horizontal aspect of the levels and upward to the soaring
height of the towers. The ingenious plan of Angkor Wat only allows a view of
all five towers from certain angles. They are not visible, for example, from
the entrance. Many of the structures and courtyards are in the shape of a
cross.
The Visitor should study the plan on page 86 and become familiar with
this dominant layout. A curved sloping roof on galleries, chambers and aisles
is a hallmark of Angkor Wat. From a distance it looks like a series of long
narrow ridges but close up from identifies itself. It is a roof made of
gracefully arched stone rectangles placed end to end. Each row of tiles is
capped with an end tile at right angles the ridge of the roof.
The scheme culminates in decorated tympanums with
elaborate frames. Steps provide access to the various levels. Helen Churchill
Candee, who visited Angkor in the 1920s, thought their usefulness surpassed
their architectural purpose.
The steps to Angkor Wat are made to force a halt at
beauteous obstruction that the mind may be prepared for the atmosphere of
sanctity, she wrote In order to become familiar with the composition of Angkor
Wat the visitor should learn to recognize the repetitive elements in the
architecture. Galleries with columns, towers, curved roofs, tympanums, steps
and the cross-shaped plan occur again and again.
It was by combining two or more of these aspects that a
sense of height was achieved. This arrangement was used to link one part of the
monument to another. Roofs were frequently layered to add height, length or
dimension. A smaller replica of the central towers was repeated at the limits
of two prominent areas-the galleries and the entry pavilions. The long causeway
at the entrance reappears on the other side of the entry pavilion.
Angkor Wat was constructed in the early 12th century.·
Angkor Wat became a Theravada Buddhist site
in around the 13th century.·
The temple complex is even featured on the
nation’s flag.·
Angkor Wat was designated a UNESCO World
Heritage Site in 1992.·
Covering an area of 40,100 ha, Angkor Wat is
the largest religious monument in the world.·
Angkor Wat lies 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) north of
the modern town of Siem Reap
Angkor is part of the Siem Reap province, just north of the town of the same name, and east of the former capital, Baphuon.
Winter (November through February) is the perfect time to visit Angkor Wat as the weather is pleasant.
Angkor is part of the Siem Reap province, just north of the town of the same name, and east of the former capital, Baphuon.
Winter (November through February) is the perfect time to visit Angkor Wat as the weather is pleasant.
The Angkor Wat opens from 5:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Tickets are available for:
One day: $20
Three days: $40
Seven days: $60
Tickets are available for:
One day: $20
Three days: $40
Seven days: $60
The
tickets are valid for consecutive days, respectively.
Nearby attractions: Phnom Bakheng, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Prohm and Lake Tonlé Sap.
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