Constructed: Early-Mid 12th century C.E.
Religion: Buddhism
King/Patron: Suryavarman II
Angkor wat is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. It is a massive three-tiered pyramid crowned by five lotus-like towers rising 65 meters from grown level.
Angkor wat is the centerpiece of any visit to the temple of Angkor.
At the apex of Khmer political and military dominance in the region, Suryavarman ll constructed Angkor wat in the form of massive “temple-mountain” dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu. It as served his state temple, though the temple’s uncommon westward orientation has let some to suggest that it was constructed as suryavarman ll’s funerary temple. Other temples of the same style and period include Thommanon, Banteay Samre, Wat Atwea and Beng Me lea, which may have served as a prototype to Angkor Wat.
Bayon
Constructed: late 12th C.E
Religion: Buddhist
King/Patron: Jayavarman VII
If you see only two temples, Angkor Wat and Bayon should be the ones. The giant stone faces of Bayon have become one of the most recognizable images connected to classical Khmer art and architecture. There are 37 standing towers, most but not all sporting four carved faces oriented toward the cardinal points. Who the faces represent is a matter of debate but they may be Loksvara. Mahayana Buddhism’s compassionate Bodhisattva, or perhaps a combination of Buddha and Yayavarman VII. Bayon was Jayavarman’s state temple and in many ways represents the pinnacle of this massive building campaign. It appears to be, and is to some degree, an architectural muddle, in part because it was constructed in a somewhat piecemeal fashion for over a century.
Banteay Srey
Constructed: Late 10th century C.E.
Religion: Hindu (Shiva)
King/Patron: Rajendravarman
Banteay Srey loosely translate to ‘citadel of the women’ but this a is modern appellation that probably refers to the delicate beauty of the carvings. Built at a time when the Khmer Empire was gaining significant power and territory, the temple was constructed by Brahmin counselor under a powerful king,Rajendravarman and later under Jayavarman V. Banteay Srey displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art. The walls are densely convered with some of the most beautiful, deep and intricate carvings of an Angkorian temple. The temple’s relatively small size, pink sandstone construction and omate design give it a fairyland ambiance. The colors are best before 10:30AM and after2:00PM, but there are fewer tourist in the afternoon. This temple was discovered by French archaeologists relatively late in 1914. The temple area closes at 5:00PM. Banteay Srey lies 38Km from Siem Reap, requiring extra travel time. Drivers usually charge a fee in addition to their normal daily charge for the trip. Banteay Srey is the well worth the extra effort.Combine a visit to Banteay Srey with Banteay Samre.
Ta Prohm
Constructed: Mid 12th century C.E
Religion: Buddhist
King/Patron: Jayavarman VII
Of similar design to the later Jayavarman VII temple of Preah Khan and Banteay Kdei, this sprawling monastic complex is only partially cleared of jungle overgrowth. Intentionally left partially unrestored , massive fig and salk-cotton trees grow from the towers and corridors offering a ‘jungle atmosphere’ and some of the best ‘tree-in –temple’ photo opportunities at Angkor. Unfortunately, massive numbers of visitors and the recent installation of wooden walkways are detracting some from the ‘jungle atmosphere’ Ta Prohm is still well worth an extended exploration of its dark corridors and open plazas. This temple was one of Jayavarman VII’s first major temple projects. Ta Prohm was dedicating to his mother.
Preah khan
Constructed: Late 12th century C.E.
Religion: Buddhist
King/Patron: Jayavarman Vll
Preah Khan is a huge, highly exportable monastic complex. Full for carvings, passages and photo opportunities. It originally served as a Buddhist monastery and school, engaging over 1000 monks. For a short period it was also the residence of King JayavarmanVll during the remonstration of his permanent home in Angkor Thom. Preah Khan means ‘sacred sword.’ In harmony with the architecturally similar Ta Prohm ,which was dedicated to Jayavarman Vll’s mother, Preah Khan is dedicated to his father. Features of note: like most of Jayavarman Vll’s monuments, the Buddha images were vandalized in the later Hindu resurgence
Neak Pean
Constructed: Late 12th century C.E.
Religion: Buddhism
King/Patron: Jayavarman Vll
A small island temple located in the middle of the last Baray (the Preah Khan Baray or Jayataka) to be constructed by a Khmer king in the Angkor area. The central temple sits at the axis of a cross or lotus pattern of eight pools. Originally known as Rajasri, Neak Pean took its modern appellation, which means’ coiled serpents,’ from the encoiled Nagas that encircled the temple. The temple is faced by a statue of the horse,Balaha,saving drowning sailors. Though originally dedicated to Buddha, Neak Pean contains several Hindu images.
