Description

Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Cambodia and the largestreligious monument in the world, with the site measuring 162.6hectares (1,626,000 m2; 402 acres). It was originally constructedas a Hindu temple of god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire, graduallytransforming into a Buddhist temple toward the end of the 12thcentury. It was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early12th century in Yaśodharapura (present-day Angkor), the capital ofthe Khmer Empire, as his state temple and eventual mausoleum.Breaking from the Shaiva tradition of previous kings, Angkor Watwas instead dedicated to Vishnu. As the best-preserved temple atthe site, it is the only one to have remained a significantreligious center since its foundation. The temple is at the top ofthe high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become asymbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is thecountry's prime attraction for visitors. Angkor Wat combines twobasic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple-mountain andthe later galleried temple. It is designed to represent Mount Meru,home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outerwall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long are three rectangular galleries,each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands aquincunx of towers. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat isoriented to the west; scholars are divided as to the significanceof this. The temple is admired for the grandeur and harmony of thearchitecture, its extensive bas-reliefs, and for the numerousdevatas adorning its walls.