Journey to Siem Reap - Bayon Temple

Bayon Temple is the state temple of Jayavarman VII. It is known for it's many towers initially estimated to be 54. However, only 37 remain standing.

Stone Lions

Stone lions adorn the entrances of the Bayon Temple.

Pathways

This is one of the many pathways within the Bayon temple. Pathways go up and down so you need to be ready to climb.

Doorways

The Bayon Temple seems complex but it's construction is actually very linear.

Central Tower

This is the central tower of the Bayon Temple.

4-headed tower

The towers of Bayon temple are characterized by its four faces.

Religious conversion of the temples

State religion changes depending on who reigns during that period. It's interesting to know that not just the people are converted, the temple structures are too.

Looking closely, the heads of the towers resemble the face of Buddha. However, you can take note of the diamond carving on the forehead, which coverts this image to the face of Shiva. Shiva is characterized by a third eye on the forehead.

Carved out

These holes on the walls previously held the carvings of the Buddha. When Jayavarman VII took over, he had these symbols carved out since he was a Hindu workshipper.

Nowhere to go

Many stones are scattered all over Bayon Temple. Although there has been extensive effort in reconstructing the temple, it had been difficult to find where these stones fit into the temple.

It's as if the temple was a big jigsaw puzzle.

Linga

Linga is the symbol of worship of the Hindu diety, Shiva.

It is characterized by the male and female phallic symbol as seen fused in this stone structure.

Missing a piece

This particular Linga is missing its center column.

Buddha

A statue of Buddha can also be seen in this temple. It was discovered that the statue of Buddha used to sit where the Linga are now found.

Khmer and Cham

This stone carving depicts the battle of the Khmer (Cambodians) and Cham (Vietnamese).

Next stop: Elephant and Leper King Terraces.

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