Angkor Wat (the word Angkor Wat is a combination of the
words Angkor and Wat. Angkor is derived from the Sanskrit word Norkor, meaning
the city, capital or kingdom. Wat means a pagoda for Buddhist monks. Therefore,
Angkor Wat is the city of Buddhist pagodas) is located about 7 kilometers north
of Siem Reap provincial town along Komai or Charles De Gaul Road. The temple
was built in the early 12th century
during the reign of King Suryavarman II (AD 113-1150) is unrivaled in its
beauty and state of preservation. It is an expression of Khmer art at its
highest point of development.
Some believed Angkor Wat was designed by Divakarapandita,
the chief adviser and minster of the king, dedicating to Vishnu Brahmanism. The
Khmers attribute the building of Angkor Wat to the divine architect
Visvakarman. There has been considerable debate amongst scholars as to whether
Angkor Wat was built as a temple or tomb.
Angkor Wat, according to Coedes, is a replica of the
universe in stone and represents and earthly model of the cosmic world. The
central tower rises from the center of the monument symbolizing the mythical
Mount Meru, situated at the center of the universe. Its five towers correspond
to the peaks of Meru; the outer wall to the mountains at the edge of the world;
and the surrounding moat to the oceans beyond.
Originally, the temple was called Prasat Paramavishnuloka. However, the evolution of the name Angkor Wat can be drawn by history. The first proof existed in the 16th century, when the temple became a well-known Buddhist place. According a 16th century inscription, its name was Preah Mohanokor Indrabrat Preah Visnuloka. In a 17th century inscription, it was called Indrabratnokor Sreisodhara Visnuloka. Angkor Wat is a simple name to refer to this holy place. Khmer people, especially those living in and around Siem Reap, often refer to Angkor Toch. However, European authors decided on a common name, Angkor Wat. Nevertheless, its original name has not been forgotten and it known by many people.
Angkor Wat covers a rectangular area of about 200 hectares defined by a laterite rampart which is surrounded by a moat that is 200 meters wide. The perimeter of the rampart measures 5.5 kilometers. The moat is crossed by a huge causeway built of sandstone blocks 250 meters long and 12 meters wide. The temple is 65 meters high. With its massive size and splendor, Angkor Wat was believed to have been built by the gods rather than by man.
The temple begins with a sandstone terrace in the shape of a cross. Giant stone lions on each side of the terrace guard the monument. End of the causeways at the gopura with three towers of varying heights, of which much of the upper sections have collapsed. A long, covered gallery with square columns and a vaulted roof extends along the moat to the left and right of the gopura.
The causeway leads to cruciform gopura or entry tower. The gateways at ground level on each end of the gallery probably served as passages for elephants, horses and carts, whereas the other entrances are accessed by steps and lead onto the central promenade. From the central entrance turn right and walk along the columned gallery coming to the end, where the quality of carving and intricacy of decoration on the false door is of exceptional beauty.
Continue eastward along the raised walkway of the equally imposing proportions which is 350 meters long and 9 meters wide. A low balustrade formed by short columns supporting the scaly body of a naga borders each side. Along the causeway, the ceremonial stairs with platforms always in pairs to the left and the right. The naga balustrade also flames the stairs. There are two buildings, so-called libraries, stand in the courtyard on the left and right, just past the middle of the causeway. In front of the libraries are two ponds, which are 65 meters long and 50 meters wide, ingeniously placed to capture the reflection of the towers in the water. The one on the left is filled with water, whereas the other one is usually dry.
The architectural triumph on the walkway is the cruciform shaped Terrace of Honor, just in front of the principle gopura of Angkor Way. Ritual dance were performed on this terrace and it may also have been where the king viewed processions and received foreign dignitaries. From the top of the terrace there is a fine view of the famous galleries of bas-reliefs on the first platform level.
The cross-shaped galleries provide the link between the first and second levels. The unique architectural design consists of covered cruciform-shaped galleries with square columns forming four courtyards each with paved basins and steps. Many of the pillars in the galleries of the courtyard have inscriptions written in Sanskrit and Khmer. At both ends of the north and south galleries are two libraries of similar form, but smaller than the ones along the entrance causeway. There is a good view of the upper level of Angkor Wat from the northern one.
The galleries of 1,000 Buddhas, on the right, once contained many images dating from the period when Angkor Wat was Buddhist, but only a few of these figures remain today. The Hall of Echoes, on the left, is so named because of its unusual acoustics. Return to the center of the cruciform-shaped galleries and continue walking eastward toward the central towers. The outlet wall of the gallery of the second level, closest, is solid and undecorated, probably to crates an environment for meditation by the priests and the king. The starkness of the exterior of the second level gallery is offset by the decoration of the interior. Over 1,500 Apsaras line the walls of the gallery, offering endless visual the spiritual enchantment.
Only the king and the high priest were allowed on the upper or third level of Angkor Wat. This level lacks that stately covered galleries of the other two, but as the base of the five central towers, one of which contains the most sacred image of the temple, it has an equally important role in the architectural scheme. Like all of Angkor Wat, the statistics of this level are imposing. The square base is 60 meters long, 13 meters high, and rises over 40 meters above the second level. Twelve sets of stairs with 40 steps each- one in the center of each side and two at the corners- ascend at a 70 degree angle giving access to the topmost level.
The central sanctuary soars 42 meters above the upper level. Its height is enhanced by a tiered plinth. This central sanctuary originally had four porches opening to the cardinal directions and sheltered a statue of Vishnu. Today it is possible to make an offering to a modern image of the Buddha and light a candle in this sacred inner sanctum. The central core of the temple was walled up some time after the sacking of Angkor in the middle of the 15th century. Nearly 500 years later French archaeologists discovered as vertical shaft 27 meters deep with a hoard of gold objects at its base.
Angkor Wat Galleries of the Bas-reliefs
The galleries of bas-reliefs, surrounding of the first level of Angkor Wat, contain 1.200 square meters of sandstone carving. The bas-reliefs are divided into eight sections, two panels flanking each of the four central entrances and additional scenes in each pavilion at the north and south corners of the west gallery. The scenes on the bas-reliefs run horizontally from the left to right, in a massive expanse along the walls. Sometimes decorated borders are added. The scenes are arranged in one of two ways: either without any deliberate attempt to separate the scenes, or in registers which are sometimes superimposed on one another.
As the bas-reliefs at Angkor Wat were designed for viewing from left to right, the visitors should follow this convention for maximum appreciation. Enter the gallery of bas-reliefs at the middle of the west side, turn right into the gallery and continue walking counter-clockwise. Visitors who start from another point should keep the monument on their left.
1) West Gallery (south): Battle of Kurukshetra (scenes from the epic Mahabharata)
2) Corner Pavilion (southwest): Scene from the epic Ream Ke.
3) South Gallery (West): Army of King Suryavarman II.
4) South Gallery (East): Judgment by Yama / Heaven and Hell.
5) East Gallery (South): Churning of the Ocean of Milk.
6) East Gallery (near the entrance): Inscription.
7) East Gallery (North): Victory of Vishnu over the Demons.
8) North Gallery (East): Victory of Krishna over Bana.
9) North Gallery (West): Battle between the gods and the demons.
10) Corner Pavilion (Northwest): Scene from the epic Ream Ke.
11) West Gallery (North): Battle of Lanka (Scene from the epic Ream Ke).
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