The statues guarding the entrance over the moat to Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is the world renowned wat (temple) in Angkor World heritage site and was built in the early 12th Century.
A Sculpture on a internal pillar supporting the temples grand roof
Originally for Hindu’s but later with the king converting to Buddism the use of the temple changed during the construction.
The outer walls of the temple 3.6km long and has the moat going around that. The temple itself is approximately 1.5km x 1.2km so it takes quite a while to walk around! Within the temple surround walls includes all resources needed for the worlds largest community (at the time).
The Library beside the central Wat
The Angkor world heritage area was the first in the world to support 1 million inhabitants at one time (London in the same era had a mere 40,000 people population). It comprises of many temples of different eras (700-1300AD).
A tree growing out of an Angkor Heritage temple
I visited Angkor Wat (the biggest one with the moat around it), Angkor Thom area with Bayon Wat (The ones with all the faces carved into the stone), Preah Khan (The one with the trees growing out of the walls) and another one that translates in English to Elephant Temple, as it is decorated with Elephant carvings.
Avalokiteśvara / Jayavarman VII face sculpture on Bayon Wat
Elephant Temple in Angkor Thom area
Ancient tree growing out of temple walls
Leaving the Angkor Wat I came across a group of people (apsara dancers) in clothing which was similar to the carvings on the walls inside the temple.
Making new friends...
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Love the trees growing out of the temples. Was that a dance troupe in the picture?
They were in traditional wear as shown on the sculpted walls around Angkor Wat, posing for pictures for us visitors coming and going into the temple.
Some fantastic photography here bud, I especially like the one of the inner library area!
Thanks Alex, it would be easy to spend a week here and take a lot of good photos due to the sheer amount of unique wats about.
Nice pictures you got there!…
I’ve always wanted to go to this place…but I’m still working hard to get the money…you are a jetsetter!…
I love exploring your website and I’m learning a lot too!…
.-= dharma´s last blog – Illinois Government Help: Three Steps to Saving Your Home =-.
Hi,thanks for providing such beautiful pictures.Really these are wonderful.I would like to spend some time of my life here.Specially i liked the picture of Elephant Temple in Angkor Thom area.Thanks again for sharing the information…
{ 1 trackback }