The biggest and the grandest of all temples. A city in its own right. Angkor Wat is the pride of Cambodia. It is indeed the first temple that every person must go to. For sure, you wouldn't want to miss this one. This is one of the reason why people want to go to Cambodia. To witness the world's largest and most sublime religious monument.
I was in awe with it's architectural masterpiece displaying some 600m of narrative bas relief and nearly 2,000 Apsaras.
It was between 1113 and 1150 century during the reign of Suryavarman II that this temple was built. It was designed both as a capital and a state temple which was dedicated to Vishnu.
The total area of this temple measures about 200 hectares. There are two entrances or what they term "causeways" - the West "W" or East "E" sides. But because of its unusual orientation the "W" gopura is by far the largest of the four.
The temple is a combination of two major Khmer architectural features : a pyramid and concentric galleries. It can be simply described or be seen as a pyramid of three levels. Each level is endowed with its own gallery showcasing four gopuram and corner towers.
The scale and structure of Angkor Wat gives full credit to the following Khmer's religious symbolism:
The moat that surrounds the temple - embodies the mythical oceans surrounding the earth;
The succession of concentric galleries - epitomizes the mountain ranges that surround Mount Meru which is the home of the gods;
The towers - stand for the mountain's peaks;
The ascent to the central shrine - exemplifies climbing a real mountain
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