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The bas-reliefs

West gallery, south wing

The battle of Kurukshetra

This mythical battle brings the final decision in a lethal conflict between two royal families, the Pandava and Kaurava , who are related to each other.
In the lower register their armies are marching and fighting: The Pandava , from the right, the Kaurava from the left. Dress and equipment of the soldiers is equal to the army of King Suryavarman II.
At the top left we see Bishma, the dying head of the Kaurava dynasty.
In the turmoil of the battle we can see Krishna with four arms as Arjuna 's charioteer.

Southwest corner pavilion

Shiva appearing to the wives of the hermits. Ravana shaking Mount Kailasha. Shiva killing Kama. Rama killing Valin. Krishna receiving offerings destined for Indra.
(Some of the reliefs are explained at the Mythological spotlights. )

South gallery, west wing

The army of King Suryavarman II

This relief is 93.6 m long. It shows King Suryavarman II, who has built Angkor Wat, and his army marching east, where the Chams are, with who he was in war.
At the left King Suryavarman is holding court at the top of a hill. In a small inscription we can read:
“Paramavishnuloka orders his army to descend from the hill Shivapada.”
( Paramavishnuloka, ‘He who is [now] staying in the heaven of Vishnu', is the posthumous name of King Suryavarman II. Shivapada means ‘Shiva's footprint'.)
Commanders on elephants are leading the troops. Their rank is shown by the number of umbrellas and other decorating signs. With every dignitary is a small inscription, calling his name and his titles.
The king is depicted once more in the centre of the relief. He is wearing a phkaek , a typical Khmer tool and weapon.
The shrine containing the Holy Fire is car­ried in the centre of the army. It is preceded by musi­cians and followed by Brahmins.
Ethnical mercenaries of unknown origin, commanded by their tribal chief make the vanguard.
(There is no evidence to call them "Siamese" or Thai.)

South gallery, east wing

Heavens and Hells

Human beings have to die and to go to the hereafter – along three different routes.
On top people are going straight to the heavens. (Amongst them are 19 nobles, like in the army of King Suryavarman.)
At the bottom the poor are trudging to the hells.
Those on the middle way are presented to Yama , the god of death and judgement. He is first enthroned on a buffalo and second judging, assisted by Citragupta , who is aware of the deeds of mortals. The mortals either go to the 37 heavens or to one of the 32 hells where you can study a large variety of punishments.
The heavens are monotonous ‘ flying palaces ', raised by hamsa (wild geese); apsara are dancing above the palaces.
The relief is well executed and full of interesting details, but its message is crude: The nobles go to the heavens, the poor go to the hell. Who are those who serve in the heaven? Anybody ready to write an essay about this crude stuff?

East gallery, south wing

The Churning of the Sea of Milk
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East gallery, north wing

Combat of Krishna and demons

In the centre Krishna – with four arms – standing on Garuda. Both are fighting against demons.

North gallery, east wing

Krishna fighting Bana

Krishna and Garuda struggle against the demon Bana in several stages. At last, Shiva (looking like a Chinese) asks Krishna to spare Bana's life. With Shiva are his sons Skanda and Ganesha .

(The two reliefs in the Northeast were executed in the 16 th century.)

North gallery, west wing

Combat of gods and demons

Eighteen gods and eighteen demons can be seen, some of whom can be recognised by their mounts.

Northwest corner pavilion (selection)

Gods ask Vishnu to descent to earth

Vishnu is reclining on the Naga Ananta. Eight guardians of the directions appear on their typical mounts or chariots (Relief on top of the window).
Besides the window are Chandra, the Moon (top), and Surya, the Sun.

Krishna getting back Mount Maniparvata

A demon has stolen the Mount Maniparvata, the summit of Mount Mandara. After vanquishing him, Krishna returns, standing on Garuda. The goddess at Garuda's right hand is Indra's consort who had been kidnapped by this demon. Soldiers wear baskets, containing regained treasures.

The vision of Akrura

While Krishna and his brother Balarama are sitting together (on top), Akrura is bathing in the holy river Yamuna. In a vision. Akrura sees the two under water and recognizes their divine nature.

Archery contest

To gain Sita, Rama has to go about with a special bow and to aim at a bird which is fixed on a turning wheel.

West gallery, north wing

The battle of Lanka

Rama and the monkeys (from left) are fighting against Ravana and his demons. The monkeys have human bodies – all shown frontal, and monkeys' faces. Unarmed, they fight with stones, sticks, fists or their teeth.
Ravana has a great appearance: monstrous draughts, flashy chariot, multiple arms and clubs, multiple faces; but he is beaten by Hanuman, and he will lose his life in this battle.

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