angkor
Angkor is a fascinating blend of exquisite stone carving and jungle. It was the culmination of five centuries of Khmer civilisation. A series of temples and incipient cities surged and ebbed over this vast 20,000-hectare complex, reaching a pinnacle in the 12th century under the Devaraja (God King) Jayavarman VII who brought a measure of permanence in the form of his fortified, walled city of Angkor Thom. Jayavarman VII was responsible for driving the Cham out of Cambodia following which, in a dramatic break from tradition, he introduced Mahayana Buddhism as the official, state-sponsored religion. He then embarked on a series of building projects on an unprecedented scale.
The creation of Angkor Thom and its associated constructions ended the tumbleweed rambling of Angkor to ensure its secure place in history.
The vast archaeological park of Angkor is a sprawling monument to the golden age of Khmer civilisation. Perhaps the best-known and most enduring image of this period is Angkor Wat (or temple city, from the Sanskrit nagara, or city). This funerary temple with its intricately carved quincunx of towers was the centre of Khmer Hindu tradition for much of the 12th century. The towers soar skywards creating the impression of a ‘temple mountain’ symbolising mythological Mount Meru, the centre of the universe. Angkor Wat’s exterior walls are wrapped in extensive bas-reliefs. Of particular interest is the panel depicting the ‘Churning of the Ocean of Milk’. Angkor Wat is best viewed at sunrise or sunset.