Pat's Photo Gallery

Angkor, Cambodia - February 2005
Part Five of Seven - Link to Part Six at bottom of the page

The temples of Angkor cover 77 square miles in northwest Cambodia.
Angkor was built between the 9th and 15th centuries.

The most famous temple of Angkor - Angkor Wat, built early 12th century. A Hindu temple,
probably constructed as a royal tomb. Became a Buddhist monument most likely in the 16th century.
Main entrance faces west, probably because of the association of sunset and death. A moat surrounds the Wat.

 
The central tower, surrounded by 4 towers, symbolizes Mt. Meru, center of the world.
Mt. Meru exists in both Hindu & Buddhist mythology as a dwelling place of gods.
 

Carvings of female deities, devatas, appear throughout the temple


Vishnu, popular Hindu god in Khmer art


Pat in front of Angkor Wat


Galleries of Angkor Wat display scenes from ancient Indian epic the Mahabharata, & other Hindu myths


Steep steps up to the central tower, barely visible on the left
Conditioning from hiking came in handy here


The central tower representing Mt. Meru

LINK TO ANGKOR & SIEM REAP - PART SIX

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