Angkor Thom
BAYON
This temple was built at the end of the 12th century. The mountain temple has three levels made of sandstone and laterite stone and is located in the middle of the city. The giant sculpted faces represent Jayavarman VII in his divine state. He looks over and protects the whole nation. In fact, the faces are looking to the four cardinal points. While the Bayons charms are often credited to its gracious faces, the temple is also famed for the profusion of bas-reliefs depicting daily activities of the people. It is currently being renovated and some of its areas may be closed to.
SOUTH GATE
The fortified city of Angkor Thom, extending some 9 sq.km, was built in its present form by Angkors greatest builder, Jayavarman VII ( reigning 1181 to 1201 ), on the ruins of an ancient city, once controlled by Udayadityavarman II (1050-1066). Jayavarman came to power just after the disastrous sacking of the previous Khmer capital, centred around the Baphuon, by the Chams. Angkor Thom, which may have had a million inhabitants at one time, is enclosed by a square wall 8 meters high and 12 km in length. A moat, 100 meters wide encircles the entire area. The city being built on a slope, lets rainwater eventually collect into a pond that is connected to the moats. The complex comprises a variety of important temples with the prominent Bayon temple at the center. The city is notable for its five monumental gates; one each on the north, west and south walls and two on the east wall. The gates, which are 20 meters in height, are decorated on either side of the passageway with stone elephant heads and crowned by four gargantuan faces of the Bodhisatva Avalokitessvara facing the cardinal directions. In front of each gate, there stand 54 gods (to the left of the causeway ) and 54 demons ( to the right of the causeway).A large basin ( the royal bath ), 700 metres by 300, on the axis of Banteay Kdei, bordered by stone steps. Originally excavated during the mid 10th century, to its west is an elegant terrace, and nearly at its centre is a small island on which there are some sandstone remains.
SOUTH GATE
The fortified city of Angkor Thom, extending some 9 sq.km, was built in its present form by Angkors greatest builder, Jayavarman VII ( reigning 1181 to 1201 ), on the ruins of an ancient city, once controlled by Udayadityavarman II (1050-1066). Jayavarman came to power just after the disastrous sacking of the previous Khmer capital, centred around the Baphuon, by the Chams. Angkor Thom, which may have had a million inhabitants at one time, is enclosed by a square wall 8 meters high and 12 km in length. A moat, 100 meters wide encircles the entire area. The city being built on a slope, lets rainwater eventually collect into a pond that is connected to the moats. The complex comprises a variety of important temples with the prominent Bayon temple at the center. The city is notable for its five monumental gates; one each on the north, west and south walls and two on the east wall. The gates, which are 20 meters in height, are decorated on either side of the passageway with stone elephant heads and crowned by four gargantuan faces of the Bodhisatva Avalokitessvara facing the cardinal directions. In front of each gate, there stand 54 gods (to the left of the causeway ) and 54 demons ( to the right of the causeway).A large basin ( the royal bath ), 700 metres by 300, on the axis of Banteay Kdei, bordered by stone steps. Originally excavated during the mid 10th century, to its west is an elegant terrace, and nearly at its centre is a small island on which there are some sandstone remains.
BANTEAY KDEI
Is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia. It is located southeast of Ta Prohm and east of Angkor Thom. Built in the late 12th to early 13th centuriesCE during the reign of Jayavarman VII, it is a Buddhist temple in the Bayon style, similar in plan to Ta Prohm and Preah Khan, but less complex and smaller. Its structures are contained within two successive enclosure walls, and consist of two concentric galleries from which emerge towers, preceded to the east by a cloister.
This monastic complex is currently dilapidated due to faulty construction and poor quality sandstone. Banteay Kdei has been occupied by monks at various intervals over the centuries, but the inscription stone has never been discovered so it is unknown to whom the temple is dedicated. [ wikipedia]
PRASAT KRAVAN
is a small 10th century temple consisting of five reddish brick towers on a common terrace, located at Angkor, Cambodia south of the artificial lake or baray called Srah Srang. Its original Sanskrit name is unknown. The modern name in Khmer, "Prasat Kravan", means cardamom temple. The temple was dedicated to Vishnu in 921 CE, according to inscription on door jambs[1].
The site was cleaned from vegetation in the Thirties by Henri Marchal and Georges Trouvè. Afterwards the towers were restored on Bernard Philippe Groslier's initiative from 1962 to 1966[2], adding some new bricks which are marked with a "CA" (meaning "Conservation Angkor")[3].
The temple is oriented to the East and surrounded by a small moat. Its exterior is striking for its classical lines and symmetry, the central and the south tower have superstructures which take advantage of false prospective by simple means of diminishing tiers. The sanctuaries interiors are remarkable for the large bas relief depictions of Vishnu and Lakshmi that have been carved into the walls of reddish brick, connected by a vegetable compound. It's a type of sculptured artwork rather common in Cham temples, but almost unique in known Khmer monuments[4]
The bas reliefs on the interior walls of the central tower are representations of Vishnu. There are three in all:
Four-armed Vishnu sits astride his vehicle Garuda and holding his standard appurtenances: the globe, the conch, the discus, and the baton.
Four-armed Vishnu, again holding his four standard appurtenances, takes a large step. This image illustrates the story of Vishnu in his incarnation as Vamana the dwarf taking three great steps in order to reclaim the world from the asura Bali.
Eight-armed Vishnu stands stiffly in the position of a statue. He is surrounded by hundreds of tiny devotees and surmounted by a crocodile or maybe a lizard. Its significance remains unknown.[wikipedia]
PREAH KHAN
Another work of King Jayavarman VII, dedicated to his father this time, is the Preah Khan temple built in 1191 and according to the tradition, located on a spot where the king fought a crucial battle against the Cams. Of course, he won. The site measures 800 by 700 meters and is surrounded by a moat. The main shrine has recently been renovated and is richly decorated with lintels and panels, with bas-reliefs depicting Buddhist and Hindu epics. The Preah Khan was a royal city on its own, measuring 56 hectares square meters and it is thought there was even a hospital inside. It has not been found, but a travellers resting place still exists. In the south-west corner of the temple, there is a unique two story building with hypostyles or columns. Georges Coedes believed it was a place for human sacrifices. There is no step to the first floor, no decoration on the ground floor and the building is surrounded by water.
ROLUOS TEMPLES
The group was Roluos Capital (named Haliharalaya) under the reign of Indravarman I (877-889). The house is situated near the present city of Roluos along RN6 13 km from Siem Reap.
The group of temples Roluos mark a step in the Khmer civilization: these are the first temples were built in stone, not brick and other fragile materials (wood, etc.).
The group was Roluos Capital (named Haliharalaya) under the reign of Indravarman I (877-889). The house is situated near the present city of Roluos along RN6 to 13 km from Siem Reap.
Bakong is the first true pyramid of Cambodia, architectural form called "temple-mountain". King Yasovarman has dedicated in 893 AD in memory of his ancestors, including her father.
TA PROHM
This temple was built in 1186 by Jayavarman VII and is dedicated to his mother. If you only have time to see a few temples, go to see this one. The temple was left almost the way it was when discovered by French explorers. Invaded by the roots of giant banyan trees, the temple is in a slow struggle with nature. So far, the trees seem to have the upper hand and the temple's destruction continues. When you sit on its peaceful stones, think of the time when it was inhabited by as many as 72,200 people, including 2470 monks and 600 dancers as beautiful as the motionless Apsaras on its walls. Unfortunately, the Ta Prohm temple is one that has most suffered from looting of its carvings.
TA SOM
Situated to the east of the Prah Khan baray and almost on its central axis, this temple is typical of the later period of the Bayon style with three enclosures similar to those at Ta Prohm and Banteay Kdei. The various buildings which still stand are in an advanced state of ruin.
