Page 218 - DK Eyewitness Travel Guides - The World's Must-See Places

AngkorWat
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One of the largest religious structures in the world, the If ~ , . •
12th-century temple of Angkor Wat is covered with exquisite )JP '·<
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carvings that form the longest bas-relief in existence. It was , . ' !'
ings constructed between the 9th and the 15th centuries by ~,fjl ~,
part of a vast complex of religious and administrative build-
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the Khmer empire, which ruled most of Southeast Asia at ~ - . ··~
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that time. The temple is an earthly representation of the .... .. . . f' ft
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Hindu cosmos. Its five towers, shaped like lotus buds, form ~ r , -
a pyramidal structure symbolizing the mythical Mount Meru,
home of the gods. The outer walls represent the edge of Central Sancwary
A Meditating Buddhist Monk the world, and the moats, the cosmic ocean. Dedicated to
Angkor was originally a Hindu s ite, but it was later
converted to Buddhis t use. T oday, Buddhist monks Vishnu, the temple w as built for the god-king Suryavarman II
live in a pagoda by the side of the temple.
(r. 1113-50), probably as a funerary monument. It faces
Y The Battle of Kuruksetra bas-relie f in west, toward the setting Sun, a symbol of death.
the West Gallery
~Central sanctuary --------------=~~~~~Jl;fl~~~~

Rising 213 ft (65 m) from
the heart of Angkor Wat. the
Central Sanctuary has four
entrances, each facing
one of the card ina I
directions. Originally
dedicated to the Hindu
god Vishnu, it n<m
houses four statues
of the Buddha.

-< Gallery of the Bas-Rei ie fs
The outer side of the ga lie!)'
comprises 60 columns, while
the inner wall is carved with
beautiful bas-reliefs of !To/tho-
logical and historical events.

~ Gallery of the Bas-Reliefs

-< Causeway
Angkor Wat's majestic fa~ade can be seen from the
causeway at its west entrance. Balustrades termnabng
in the form of the naga. the seven-headed serpent,
border the causeway on either side and extend all the
way around the temple.

View of Angkor Wat >-
The elegance and grace
of the temples, and
their reflection in the
moats that surround
them, make Angkor Wat J~l:lll;i!~~~~~~~~~
an awe-ins piring sight. i