Meet the Temples
An introduction to Angkor
Angkor was the capital of the Khmer empire which dominated Mainland Southeast Asia for centuries.
It got the by far vastest pre-industrial metropolis on our planet.
Here the kings built temples for the national gods, Shiva, Vishnu, and
the Buddha, in succession. Today temples make the only visible remains
of the capital.
Prelude in Sambor Prei Kuk
The pre-Angkorian monuments of Sambor Prei Kuk are located 25 km north-east of Kampong Thom. Here was the capital of an important regional kingdom. In the core of the plant are three groups of temples. The central tower of the South Group, (King Isanavarman I, early 7th century) is the biggest brick tower ever constructed in ancient Cambodia.
Sambor Prei Kuk.
The first Angkorian capitals
Trapeang Phong (early 9th century), in the South of the Roluos Group, has a stately and fine decorated tower.It was probably built by king Jayavarman II. Nearby traces of a royal residence have been excavated.
Temples at Roluos.
Bakong, the first state temple
The Bakong was
consecrated in 881 and dedicated to Shiva as the national god
of the Khmer. It was then the biggest building in Mainland Southeast Asia.
Shiva should be enticed to
take his abode in the new state temple and thus make Angkor the centre of the
world.
The Bakong defines the pattern of the Khmer pyramid temple. Later temples will maintain these principles.
Bakong. Shiva.
Phnom Bakheng
At the end of the 9th century, King Yasovarman I moved the capital to central Angkor and built a pyramid temple, dedicated to Shiva, on top of a phnom, a steep hill, incorporating the whole phnom into the temple complex.
At the top platform, there were five towers in a quincunx. Later they weree destroyed.
Phnom Bakheng.
Lingapura (Koh Ker)
From 921 to 944 AD, the capital moved to Koh Ker, some 80 km north-east of Angkor.
A tall pyramid was built, together with many other impressive temples.
Koh Ker.
Baksei Chamkrong
The temple was started in the early 9th century, consecrated 947, and dedicated to Shiva.
Located close to Phnom Bakheng, a singel brick tower raises at a small and elegant pyramid, built of laterite.
Baksei Chamkrong became a model for the steep pyramid as it is built in Angkor from then on.
Baksei Chamkrong.
East Mebon and Pre Rup
King Rajendavarman (944–968) made a new core of the capital near the East Baray. He built the East Mebon (952. photo) as his ancestor temple, and Pre Rup (961) as his state temple.
Both are pyramid temples made of laterite and brick. The five towers are at each temple again arranged in a quincunx, and well preserved.
Ta Keo
Ta Keo
(1007) is a precursor of
Angkor Wat: a huge, steep sandstone pyramid, topped by five sandstone
towers.
For the first time, there is a gallery.
Ta Keo.
Baphuon
King Udayadityavarman II (1050–1066) built the Baphuon (1060), just south of the Royal Palace.
There was a huge pyramid, topped by "the tower of bronze, even higher than the golden tower [of the Bayon]", as a Chinese chronicler remarked.
Photo album
Narrative bas-reliefs
Beginning with the Baphuon (photo), there are large tableaux of bas-reeliefs presenting scenes from the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, and other Hindu epics.
The most extensive reliefs are at Angkor Wat, at the outer and inner galleries of the Bayon, and at Banteay Chhmar.
Baphuon.
Bas-Reliefs of Angkor Wat.
Bayon.
Banteay Chhmar.
Early Buddhist flat temples
During the late 11th and early 12th century a series of Buddhist flat temples were constructed.
Thommanon,
Chau Say Tevoda.
Banteay Samré.
Prasat Wat Athvea.
Angkor Wat
King Suryavarman II
(1113–c. 1150) built the greatest temple in the
world.
Dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, Angkor Wat is the climax of Khmer architecture: A gigantic three-step pyramid is adorned by nine slender towers of enormous height. The steps of the pyramid are capped by galleries. Framed by a majestic moat and an enclosure wall with the large West Gate, the temple covers 2.5 square kilometres.
Angkor Wat.
Devata at Angkor Wat
In Angkor Wat, there are some two-thousand Devata reliefs. In the beauty of eternal youth, Devata are guarding and embellishing the temple. Their outfit is stunning: fantastic hairdos, heavy jewellery, effectively designed and draped sarongs, their hands in charming gestures. According to the customs of the period they are bare breasted.
Their charm and sensuality are an obvious representation of the divine. They help to transform the man-made building into a sanctified area
Devata at Angkor Wat.
Monastic cities and temples
Towards 1200 AD, King Jayavarman VII (1181–c. 1215) made Mahayana Buddhism the state religion. He built a series of monastic cities and temples: Ta Prohm (1186), Preah Khan (1191) and the nearby water sanctuary Neak Pean, Banteay Kdei and Srah Srang, Ta Som, Ta Nei , as well as Prasat Prei Prasat and Banteay Thom, Angkor Thom. Banteay Chhmar is located some 100 km north-west of Angkor. Ta Prohm of Bati is located in Takeo province, and Wat Nokor near Kampong Cham.
Ta Prohm. Preah Khan. Neak Pean. Monastic Cities and Temples. Prasat Prei Prasat and Banteay Thom. Banteay Chhmar.
Angkor Thom
Jayavarman VII also built Angkor Thom, the royal city inside of the extensive metropolis Yasodharapura.
Angkor Thom is framed by a moat, a wall, and five imposing gates with face towers.
Angkor Thom.
Bayon
In the centre of the city King Jayavarman VII built the Bayon as his state temple.
In a confused construction innumerable face towers grow up like trees in a natural forest.
The walls of Angkor Thom make the outer enclosure of the temple.
Bayon.