Siem Reap, Cambodia - Angkor Wat (Part 1)

Angkor Wat Entrance

Before entering the temple grounds, you'll see the moat surrounding Angkor Wat. The moat and the temple grounds is about 1.5km by 1.3km .

A moat is present in temple designs. However, most have dried up or has been destroyed through time.

Bridge

The temple and everything enclosed by the moat represent the universe.

Library

Libraries are smaller structures within the temple grounds.

Their libraries don't have books. Instead, they have carvings on the walls telling history, religion and other stories.

Looking Through

A view of Angkor Wat through one of the libraries.

Angkor Vat


Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument. Angkor Wat is also known as the "city (which became a) pagoda."

It was build during the reign of Suryavarman II as the capital and State Temple dedicated to Vishnu.

Basins

There are four are basins used for blessings within the main building.

Cruciform Cloister (inside)


Cruciform Cloister (outside)

The Cruciform Cloister is the covered path around the basins.

It is also known as the "Hall of the Thousand Buddhas. Only a few remaining Buddha statues can be seen.

Towers of Angkor




Angkor Wat is usually seen with just 3 towers. The temple is actually made up of 5 towers.

There are towers on each corner of the square-shaped temple and larger tower at the center.

Second Level Galleries

Path to the second level galleries.

Stone Piles

There are many stones scattered around Angkor. Restorers could no longer find where the stone pieces fit.

... to be continued..

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Siem Reap, Cambodia - Preah Palilay

Morning Blessing

Before heading for the grounds of Preah Palilay, locals visit the Buddhist monks to have their morning blessing.

The monks splash the person with water while chanting the blessing.

Naga

Like other temples, the Naga is also found lining the entrance.

Entrance to Preah Palilay

This is the entrance to Preah Palilay temple grounds.

Preah Palilay

Preah Palilay is one of the small Buddhist Sactuaries found within Angkor Thom.

Cut Down Trees

Preah Palilay found within the wooded area of Angkor Thom. Unfortunately, these age-old trees have been cut down to prevent further destruction of the temple.

Monk on Temple

Do you notice the monk sitting at the temple?

Monk

A small buddhist monastary is found near Preah Palilay. Some of the younger monks find this temple as a place to take a break.

..more to come.. :)

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Siem Reap, Cambodia - Phimeanakas and The Royal Palace

Royal Palace

This is the entrance to the Royal Palace. Unfortunately, the palace has long been destroyed as it is only made of wood. Only the temples made of stone remain.

Reclining Buddha

One of the temples being restored here has the image of the reclining Buddha at the top.

Pyramid Temple

Phimeanakas is also known as the pyramid temple.

Burried Path



Giant

These large trees are found within the Royal Palace.


...more to come

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Journey to Siem Reap - Elephant and Leper KingTerraces

Elephant Terraces
The Elephant Terrace is an elevated platform made of stone. Celebrations are done here during the olden times.

Three Elephants


Wall of Elephants

The Elephant Terraces have platforms and wall carvings of the elephant.


Leper King Terrace

It was an old folklore that one of the Kings of Ancient Angkor was a leper. The walls are adorned with carvings of monkeys.

Next stop: Phimeanakas and The Royal Palace
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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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Siem Reap, Cambodia - Banteay Srei

Tourists

Banteay Srei is one of the very popular tourist destinations.

Many fall in love with the intricate carvings of this temple.

Banteay Srei


Banteay Srei is a small temple 20km north of Angkor. Banteay Srei translates to "Citadel of Women" or "Citadel of Beauty."

The name is probably due to its very intricate design and decorations.

The temples actual name was Tribhuvanamahesvara, or "Great Lord of the Threefold World"

Decorated Doorways







The doorways of the temple have many carvings. Carvings on top of each doorway tell a different story.

Details

This is how detailed the carvings are in Banteay Srei. Compared to other temples, the carvings are deeper.

Library

Most temples have their own libraries which have history carved on stone instead of written on paper.

Tombs


These small buildings were built as tombs for the kings wife and his in-laws.

Apsara

Images of the Apsara adorn the temple galleries and libraries.

Restored

Effort is being put to restore this temple.

People Watching

A kid watches as hundreds of tourists pass by.

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Journey to Siem Reap - Angkor Thom

Angkor Thom
This is the entrance to Angkor Thom. Angkor means "city" and Thom means "big".





Naga is a seven-headed Cobra. Naga's long body is often found lining the entrances of the different temples.
Naga - seven-headed Cobra


On large temples, the long Naga is often carried by gods and demons. Gods are lined at the left while demons are lined the right side of the entrances. These statues are all made of large stone.

gods and demons


Next stop: Bayon Temple

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