Cambodia-Part II

Angkor Wat: Architectural Pinnacle of Khmer Empire

The majestic temples of Angkor in the Siem Reap province of Cambodia belong to the classic period of Khmer Empire, the largest empire of Southeast Asia that flourished between the 9th and 15th centuries. These temples represent one of humankind’s most astonishing and enduring architectural achievements.Unquestionably, the architectural pinnacle of the Khmer Empire is Angkor Wat - the grandest and most sublime temple that resonates deeply as a symbol of Cambodia.

Known as the biggest and most visited religious monument in the world, Angkor Wat, the ‘city pagoda’, is located about six kilometres north of Siem Reap. The temple, built during the reign of Suryavarman II in the first half of the 12th century, honours Hindu god Vishnu, the protector of the universe. Hence, the temple is considered to be a microcosm of the Hindu universe. Later, during the rule of King Srindravarman (1295-1307), who adopted Buddhism as the state religion, Angkor Wat became an important Buddhist religious centre, too.
Angkor Wat’s main entrance is to the west across a stone causeway, with guardian lions marking the way. The seven-headed serpent along the causeway creates a symbolic rainbow bridge, enabling man to reach the heavenly home of the Gods.
There has been much speculation about the temples orientation - facing west rather than the more usual east. It is generally accepted that Angkor Wat was a funerary temple for Suryavarman II and, thus, is oriented to the west in the direction of the setting sun that symbolises passing into the next life. 
The outer limits of the temple are set by its broad moat. The temple proper is a pyramid of three levels, each one enclosed by a gallery. The third level supports five towers – four in the corners and one in the middle. The towers, moats and concentric walls of Angkor Wat and the perfection in their composition, balance, proportions, reliefs and carvings reveal the genius of the Khmers and sophistication of their architecture.
Created by means of stepped terraces, pyramids were the Khmer method of symbolising the mythical Mount Meru, home of the Hindu gods situated at the centre of the universe. The graduated tiers, one rising above the other, give the towers a conical shape and, near the top, rows of lotuses taper to a point.The uppermost level of the temple really does look like the final ascent of a great mountain.
The outer wall of the temple corresponds to the mountains at the edge of the world, the moat represents the mythical oceans surrounding the earth and the succession of concentric galleries represent the mountain ranges that surround Mount Meru. The central tower represents the mountain’s peak, and the experience of the ascent to the central shrine, maybe intentionally, is a fairly convincing imitation of climbing a real mountain.
Angkor Wat is famous for having over 3,000 enchanting celestial nymphs known as Apsaras carved into its doors, walls and the niches. Every one of these nymphs is different. The elaborate coiffures, headdresses and jewelry befit, yet never overpower, these ‘ethereal inhabitants of the heavens’.
The bas-reliefs at Angkor Wat are perhaps one of the most famous creations in Khmer art. Covering the exterior walls, just above ground level, most of the artwork depicts scenes from Hindu mythology.They include epic battles, such as the Battle of Kurukshetra, Battle of Lanka, Battle between Gods and Asuras (demons), Krishna’s victory over Asura Bana, as well as Judgement of Yama, and Churning of the Ocean of Milk from where the Apsaras were created.
Angkor Wat was an awe-inspiring experience for me. I found the temple stunning for its grand scale and religious symbolism.The level of intricacy and incredible details in the architecture and carvings is truly intriguing. Angkor Wat is, indeed, a temple that is to be savoured, not rushed through.
How does Angkor Wat compare to the temples built by other ancient civilizations? The beauty and magnificence of Angkor Wat easily surpass the pomp and grandeur of two of the most famous temples I have seen - the Luxor Temple in Egypt built by Amenhotep III (1390-52 BC) and Borobudur Temple in Indonesia built in the 8th and 9th centuries during the Sailendra Dynasty.
Angkor Wat has been aptly described by Lonely Planet as “Soaring skywards and surrounded by a moat that would make its European Castle counterparts blush, Angkor Wat is one of the most inspired and spectacular monuments ever conceived by the human mind”. 

The writer is Professor of Physics at Fordham University, New York.
Photos: Writer.

Cambodia-Part II

Angkor Wat: Architectural Pinnacle of Khmer Empire

The majestic temples of Angkor in the Siem Reap province of Cambodia belong to the classic period of Khmer Empire, the largest empire of Southeast Asia that flourished between the 9th and 15th centuries. These temples represent one of humankinds most astonishing and enduring architectural achievements.Unquestionably, the architectural pinnacle of the Khmer Empire is Angkor Wat - the grandest and most sublime temple that resonates deeply as a symbol of Cambodia. Known as the biggest and most visited religious monument in the world, Angkor Wat, the city pagoda, is located about six kilometres north of Siem Reap. The temple, built during the reign of Suryavarman II in the first half of the 12th century, honours Hindu god Vishnu, the protector of the universe. Hence, the temple is considered to be a microcosm of the Hindu universe. Later, during the rule of King Srindravarman (1295-1307), who adopted Buddhism as the state religion, Angkor Wat became an important Buddhist religious centre, too. Angkor Wats main entrance is to the west across a stone causeway, with guardian lions marking the way. The seven-headed serpent along the causeway creates a symbolic rainbow bridge, enabling man to reach the heavenly home of the Gods. There has been much speculation about the temples orientation - facing west rather than the more usual east. It is generally accepted that Angkor Wat was a funerary temple for Suryavarman II and, thus, is oriented to the west in the direction of the setting sun that symbolises passing into the next life. The outer limits of the temple are set by its broad moat. The temple proper is a pyramid of three levels, each one enclosed by a gallery. The third level supports five towers four in the corners and one in the middle. The towers, moats and concentric walls of Angkor Wat and the perfection in their composition, balance, proportions, reliefs and carvings reveal the genius of the Khmers and sophistication of their architecture. Created by means of stepped terraces, pyramids were the Khmer method of symbolising the mythical Mount Meru, home of the Hindu gods situated at the centre of the universe. The graduated tiers, one rising above the other, give the towers a conical shape and, near the top, rows of lotuses taper to a point.The uppermost level of the temple really does look like the final ascent of a great mountain. The outer wall of the temple corresponds to the mountains at the edge of the world, the moat represents the mythical oceans surrounding the earth and the succession of concentric galleries represent the mountain ranges that surround Mount Meru. The central tower represents the mountains peak, and the experience of the ascent to the central shrine, maybe intentionally, is a fairly convincing imitation of climbing a real mountain. Angkor Wat is famous for having over 3,000 enchanting celestial nymphs known as Apsaras carved into its doors, walls and the niches. Every one of these nymphs is different. The elaborate coiffures, headdresses and jewelry befit, yet never overpower, these ethereal inhabitants of the heavens. The bas-reliefs at Angkor Wat are perhaps one of the most famous creations in Khmer art. Covering the exterior walls, just above ground level, most of the artwork depicts scenes from Hindu mythology.They include epic battles, such as the Battle of Kurukshetra, Battle of Lanka, Battle between Gods and Asuras (demons), Krishnas victory over Asura Bana, as well as Judgement of Yama, and Churning of the Ocean of Milk from where the Apsaras were created. Angkor Wat was an awe-inspiring experience for me. I found the temple stunning for its grand scale and religious symbolism.The level of intricacy and incredible details in the architecture and carvings is truly intriguing. Angkor Wat is, indeed, a temple that is to be savoured, not rushed through. How does Angkor Wat compare to the temples built by other ancient civilizations? The beauty and magnificence of Angkor Wat easily surpass the pomp and grandeur of two of the most famous temples I have seen - the Luxor Temple in Egypt built by Amenhotep III (1390-52 BC) and Borobudur Temple in Indonesia built in the 8th and 9th centuries during the Sailendra Dynasty. Angkor Wat has been aptly described by Lonely Planet as Soaring skywards and surrounded by a moat that would make its European Castle counterparts blush, Angkor Wat is one of the most inspired and spectacular monuments ever conceived by the human mind. The writer is Professor of Physics atFordham University, New York. Photos: Writer.