NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat (or Angkor Vat) (Khmer: អង្គរវត្ត), is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia, built for King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation—first Hindu, dedicated to Vishnu, then Buddhist. The temple is the epitome of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors. Image File history File links Angkor_wat_temple. ... Image File history File links Angkor_wat_temple. ... The period of Angkor is the period from approximately the latter half of the 8th century A.D. to the first half of the 15th century. ... Note: This page or section contains IPA phonetic symbols in Unicode. ... Temple of Hephaestus, an Doric Greek temple in Athens with the original entrance facing east, 449 BC (western face depicted) For other uses, see Temple (disambiguation). ... Map of the Angkor region in Cambodia. ... Suryavarman II depicted in a bas-relief at Angkor Wat. ... This article discusses the adherents of Hinduism. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being (i. ... A replica of an ancient statue found among the ruins of a temple at Sarnath Buddhism is a philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha, SiddhÄrtha Gautama, a prince of the Shakyas, whose lifetime is traditionally given as 566 to 486 BCE. It had subsequently been accepted by... Map of Asia and Europe c. ... Architecture of Cambodia has dated back to many centuries ago and has influenced Thai architecture. ... Flag ratio: 2:3 The national flag of Cambodia () was readopted in 1993, after elections returned the monarchy to rule. ...

Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain and the later galleried temple. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the gods in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outer wall 3.6 km (2.2 miles) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west; scholars are divided as to the significance of this. The temple is admired for the grandeur and harmony of the architecture, its extensive bas-reliefs and for the numerous devatas (guardian spirits) adorning its walls. This article is about building architecture. ... The period of Angkor is the period from approximately the latter half of the 8th century A.D. to the first half of the 15th century. ... The period of Angkor is the period from approximately the latter half of the 8th century A.D. to the first half of the 15th century. ... Mount Meru is a sacred mountain in Hindu mythology which is believed to be the abode of Brahma and other gods. ... Hindu mythology is a term used by modern scholarship for a large body of Indian literature that details the lives and times of legendary personalities, deities and divine incarnations on earth interspersed with often large sections of philosophical and ethical discourse. ... The moated manor house of Baddesley Clinton in Warwickshire, England Moats (also known as a Fosse) were deep and wide water-filled trenches, excavated to provide a barrier against attack upon castle ramparts or other fortifications. ... Five dots forming a quincunx A quincunx is the arrangement of five units in the pattern corresponding to the five-spot on dice, playing cards, or dominoes. ... A compass rose with west highlighted This article refers to the cardinal direction; for other uses see West (disambiguation). ... This article is about building architecture. ... Bas relief is a method of sculpting which entails carving or etching away the surface of a flat piece of stone or metal. ... The period of Angkor is the period from approximately the latter half of the 8th century A.D. to the first half of the 15th century. ...

Name

The modern name, Angkor Wat, in use by the 16th century,^[1] means "City Temple": Angkor is a vernacular form of the word nokor which comes from the Sanskrit word nagara (capital), while wat is the Khmer word for temple. Prior to this time the temple was known as Preah Pisnulok, after the posthumous title of its founder, Suryavarman II.^[2] Sanskrit ( , for short ) is a classical language of India, a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, and one of the 23 official languages of India. ... This article is about the Southeast Asian temple. ... Note: This page or section contains IPA phonetic symbols in Unicode. ... Temple of Hephaestus, an Doric Greek temple in Athens with the original entrance facing east, 449 BC (western face depicted) For other uses, see Temple (disambiguation). ... Suryavarman II depicted in a bas-relief at Angkor Wat. ...

History

Angkor Wat lies 5.5 km north of the modern town of Siem Reap, and a short distance south and slightly east of the previous capital, which was centred on the Baphuon. It is in an area of Cambodia where there are an important group of ancient structures. It is the southernmost of Angkor's main sites. Image File history File links Modified from http://de. ... Image File history File links Angkor Wat photographed in 1866 by Emile Gsell (1838-1879). ... Image File history File links Angkor Wat photographed in 1866 by Emile Gsell (1838-1879). ... Emile Gsell (1838-1879) was a French photographer, who produced early pictures of Vietnam and Cambodia, including Angkor. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Cambodia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Cambodia. ... Flag ratio: 2:3 The national flag of Cambodia () was readopted in 1993, after elections returned the monarchy to rule. ... Fruit vendor at the Siem Reap market. ... The layout of the temple as seen from above Pen and watercolor reconstruction of what the temple may have looked in the 11th century by Lucien Fournereau in 1889 The Baphuon is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia. ...

The initial design and construction of the temple took place in the first half of the 12th century, during the reign of Suryavarman II (ruled 1113–c. 1150), Dedicated to Vishnu, it was built as the king's state temple and capital city. As neither the foundation stela nor any contemporary inscriptions referring to the temple have been found, its original name is unknown, but it may have been known as Vrah Vishnulok after the presiding deity. Work seems to have ended on the king's death, leaving some of the bas-relief decoration unfinished.^[3] In 1177 Angkor was sacked by the Chams, the traditional enemies of the Khmer. Thereafter the empire was restored by a new king, Jayavarman VII, who established a new capital and state temple (Angkor Thom and the Bayon respectively) a few kilometres to the north. Suryavarman II depicted in a bas-relief at Angkor Wat. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being (i. ... Stele is also a concept in plant biology. ... Bas relief is a method of sculpting which entails carving or etching away the surface of a flat piece of stone or metal. ... South East Asia circa 1100 C.E. Champa territory in green. ... This article is about the political and historical term. ... Jayavarman VII (1125?-1215?) was a king of the Khmer Empire (1181 - 1215????) in present day Cambodia. ... Face-tower of the South Gate, showing Avalokiteshvara Bayon temple, Angkor Thom The Terrace of the Leper King, showing apsara Angkor Thom was the fortified inner royal city built by Jayavarman VII (1181 - 1220?), Buddhist king of the Khmer Empire, at the end of the 12th Century, after Angkor had... [[Image:Bayon-temple. ...

In the 14th or 15th century the temple was converted to Theravada Buddhist use, which continues to the present day. Angkor Wat is unusual among the Angkor temples in that although it was somewhat neglected after the 16th century it was never completely abandoned, its preservation being due in part to the fact that its moat also provided some protection from encroachment by the jungle.^[4] ...

One of the first Western visitors to the temple was Antonio da Magdalena, a Portuguese monk who visited in 1586 and said that it "is of such extraordinary construction that it is not possible to describe it with a pen, particularly since it is like no other building in the world. It has towers and decoration and all the refinements which the human genius can conceive of".^[5] However, the temple was popularised in the West only in the mid-19th century on the publication of Henri Mouhot's travel notes. The French explorer wrote of it: Occident redirects here. ... Antonio da Magdalena was a Portuguese Capuchin friar who was one of the first western visitors to Angkor. ... A drawing of Henri Mouhot done by H. Rousseau from a photograph Henri Mouhot (May 15, 1826 â€” November 10, 1861) was a French naturalist and explorer of the mid-19th century. ...

Mouhot, like other early Western visitors, was unable to believe that the Khmers could have built the temple, and mistakenly dated it to around the same era as Rome. The true history of Angkor Wat was pieced together only from stylistic and epigraphic evidence accumulated during the subsequent clearing and restoration work carried out across the whole Angkor site. The Rosetta Stone in the British Museum. ...

Angkor Wat required considerable restoration in the 20th century, mainly the removal of accumulated earth and vegetation.^[7] Work was interrupted by the civil war and Khmer Rouge control of the country during the 1970s and 1980s, but relatively little damage was done during this period other than the theft and destruction of mostly post-Angkorian statues.^[8] Some of the Khmer Rouge leaders during their period in power. ...

The temple has become a symbol of Cambodia, and is a source of great national pride. A depiction of Angkor Wat has been a part of every Cambodian national flag since the introduction of the first version circa 1863^[9]—the only building to appear on any national flag.^[10] In January 2003 riots erupted in Phnom Penh when a false rumour circulated that a Thai soap opera actress had claimed that Angkor Wat belonged to Thailand.^[11] Flag ratio: 2:3 The national flag of Cambodia () was readopted in 1993, after elections returned the monarchy to rule. ... The fluid historical relationship between Thailand and Cambodia has prompted some Thai nationalists to claim that Angkor belongs to Thailand. ... Nickname: Location of Phnom Penh, Cambodia Coordinates: , Country Province Settled 1372 Became Capital 1865 Government - Type Municipality - Mayor & Governor H.E. Keb Chutema (Khmer: ) - Vice Governors H.E. Than Sina, H.E. Map Sarin, H.E. Seng Tong Area - Total 376 kmÂ² (145. ...

Architecture

Site and plan

Angkor Wat, located at 13°24′45″N, 103°52′0″ECoordinates: 13°24′45″N, 103°52′0″E, is a unique combination of the temple mountain, the standard design for the empire's state temples, the later plan of concentric galleries, and influences from Orissa and the Chola of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is a representation of Mount Meru, the home of the gods: the central quincunx of towers symbolises the five peaks of the mountain, and the walls and moat the surrounding mountain ranges and ocean.^[12] Access to the upper areas of the temple was progressively more exclusive, with the laity being admitted only to the lowest level.^[13] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1468x1235, 33 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Angkor Wat ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1468x1235, 33 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Angkor Wat ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ... The period of Angkor is the period from approximately the latter half of the 8th century A.D. to the first half of the 15th century. ... The period of Angkor is the period from approximately the latter half of the 8th century A.D. to the first half of the 15th century. ... , Orissa (Oriya: à¬“à¬¡à¬¼à¬¿à¬¶à¬¾), is a state situated on the east coast of India. ... The Cholas were the most famous of the three dynasties that ruled ancient Tamil Nadu. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... Mount Meru is a sacred mountain in Hindu mythology which is believed to be the abode of Brahma and other gods. ... Five dots forming a quincunx A quincunx is the arrangement of five units in the pattern corresponding to the five-spot on dice, playing cards, or dominoes. ...

Unlike most Khmer temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west rather than the east. This has led many (including Glaize and George Coedès) to conclude that Suryavarman intended it to serve as his funerary temple.^[14] Further evidence for this view is provided by the bas-reliefs, which proceed in a counter-clockwise direction—prasavya in Hindu terminology—as this is the reverse of the normal order. Rituals take place in reverse order during Brahminic funeral services.^[15] The archaeologist Charles Higham also describes a container which may have been a funerary jar which was recovered from the central tower.^[16] Freeman and Jacques, however, note that several other temples of Angkor depart from the typical eastern orientation, and suggest that Angkor Wat's alignment was due to its dedication to Vishnu, who was associated with the west.^[17] George CoedÃ¨s (1886-1969)was a 20th century scholar of southeast Asian archaeology and history. ... Bas relief is a method of sculpting which entails carving or etching away the surface of a flat piece of stone or metal. ... The Gopuram of temples, in south India, are adorned with colourful icons depicting a particular story surrounding the temples deity. ...

A further interpretation of Angkor Wat has been proposed by Eleanor Mannikka. Drawing on the temple's alignment and dimensions, and on the content and arrangement of the bas-reliefs, she argues that these indicate a claimed new era of peace under king Suryavarman II: "as the measurements of solar and lunar time cycles were built into the sacred space of Angkor Wat, this divine mandate to rule was anchored to consecrated chambers and corridors meant to perpetuate the king's power and to honor and placate the deities manifest in the heavens above."^[18] Mannikka's suggestions have been received with a mixture of interest and scepticism in academic circles.^[19] She distances herself from the speculations of others, such as Graham Hancock, that Angkor Wat is part of a representation of the constellation Draco.^[20] Eleanor Mannikka, of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, is a scholar of Southeast Asian Studies. ... Suryavarman II depicted in a bas-relief at Angkor Wat. ... Graham Hancock (born August 2, 1950) is a British writer and journalist. ... Draco (IPA: , Latin: ) is a far northern constellation that is circumpolar for many northern hemisphere observers. ...

Style

Angkor Wat is the prime example of the classical style of Khmer architecture—the Angkor Wat style—to which it has given its name. By the 12th century Khmer architects had become skilled and confident in the use of sandstone (rather than brick or laterite) as the main building material. Most of the visible areas are of sandstone blocks, while laterite was used for the outer wall and for hidden structural parts. The binding agent used to join the blocks is yet to be identified, although natural resins or slaked lime have been suggested.^[21] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1856x2464, 543 KB) Northwest corner tower of the first gallery of Angkor Wat, viewed from the second enclosure. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1856x2464, 543 KB) Northwest corner tower of the first gallery of Angkor Wat, viewed from the second enclosure. ... Angkor Wat Architecture of Cambodia has dated back to many centuries ago and has influenced Thai architecture. ... Red sandstone interior of Lower Antelope Canyon, Arizona, worn smooth due to erosion by flash flooding over millions of years Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-size mineral or rock grains. ... For other uses, see Brick (disambiguation). ... Cutting of laterite brickstones, Angadipuram, India Laterite is a surface formation in tropical areas which is enriched in iron and aluminium and develops by intensive and long lasting weathering of the underlying parent rock. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Calcium hydroxide is a chemical compound with the chemical formula Ca(OH)2. ...

Angkor Wat has drawn praise above all for the harmony of its design, which has been compared to the architecture of ancient Greece or Rome. According to Maurice Glaize, a mid-20th-century conservator of Angkor, the temple "attains a classic perfection by the restrained monumentality of its finely balanced elements and the precise arrangement of its proportions. It is a work of power, unity and style."^[22] The term ancient Greece refers to the periods of Greek history in Classical Antiquity, lasting ca. ... Ancient Rome was a civilization that grew from a small agricultural community founded on the Italian Peninsula circa the 9th century BC to a massive empire straddling the Mediterranean Sea. ... Maurice Glaize was the conservator of Angkor from 1937 to 1945. ...

Architecturally, the elements characteristic of the style include: the ogival, redented towers shaped like lotus buds; half-galleries to broaden passageways; axial galleries connecting enclosures; and the cruciform terraces which appear along the main axis of the temple. Typical decorative elements are devatas (or apsaras), bas-reliefs, and on pediments extensive garlands and narrative scenes. The statuary of Angkor Wat is considered conservative, being more static and less graceful than earlier work.^[23] Other elements of the design have been destroyed by looting and the passage of time, including gilded stucco on the towers, gilding on some figures on the bas-reliefs, and wooden ceiling panels and doors.^[24] An ogive is a curved shape, figure, or feature. ... Binomial name Gaertn. ... The period of Angkor is the period from approximately the latter half of the 8th century A.D. to the first half of the 15th century. ... The period of Angkor is the period from approximately the latter half of the 8th century A.D. to the first half of the 15th century. ... Bas relief is a method of sculpting which entails carving or etching away the surface of a flat piece of stone or metal. ... A pediment is a classical architectural element consisting of a triangular section or gable found above the horizontal superstructure (entablature) which lies immediately upon the columns. ... A gilded Tibetan Vajrasattva Gilding is the art of applying metal leaf (most commonly gold or silver leaf) to a surface. ... Stucco is a material made of an aggregate, a binder, and water which is applied wet, and hardens when it dries. ...

The Angkor Wat style was followed by that of the Bayon period, in which quality was often sacrificed to quantity.^[25] Other temples in the style are Banteay Samré, Thommanon, Chao Say Tevoda and the early temples of Preah Pithu at Angkor; outside Angkor, Beng Mealea and parts of Phanom Rung and Phimai. [[Image:Bayon-temple. ... Banteay SamrÃ© is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia located east of the East Baray. ... Thommanon at Angkor, Cambodia, is one of a pair of Hindu temples built in the end of the 11th century, completed during the reign of Suryavarman II (from 1113-1150). ... Chau Say Tevoda is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia. ... Preah Pithu is a group of five temples at Angkor, Cambodia, located in Angkor Thom east of the Terrace of the Elephants. ... Map of the Angkor region in Cambodia. ... Beng Mealea is a temple in the Angkor Wat style located 40 km east of the main group of temples at Angkor, Cambodia, and 77 km from Siem Reap by road. ... Phanom Rung (Thai: ), or, with its full name, Prasat Hin Phanom Rung (Phanom Rung Stone Castle), is a Khmer temple complex set on the rim of an extinct volcano at 1,320 feet above sea level, in Buriram province in the Isan region of Thailand. ... Main shrine The Phimai historical park protects one of the most important Khmer temples of Thailand. ...

Features

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2272x1704, 309 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Angkor Angkor Wat Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2272x1704, 309 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Angkor Angkor Wat Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2042x1011, 1186 KB) Other versions Originally from en. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2042x1011, 1186 KB) Other versions Originally from en. ...

Outer enclosure

The outer wall, 1024 by 802 m and 4.5 m high, is surrounded by a 30 m apron of open ground and a moat 190 m wide. Access to the temple is by an earth bank to the east and a sandstone causeway to the west; the latter, the main entrance, is a later addition, possibly replacing a wooden bridge.^[26] There are gopuras at each of the cardinal points; the western is much the largest and has three ruined towers. Glaize notes that this gopura both hides and echoes the form of the temple proper.^[27] Under the southern tower is a statue of Vishnu, known as Ta Reach, which may originally have occupied the temple's central shrine.^[28] Galleries run between the towers and as far as two further entrances on either side of the gopura often referred to as "elephant gates", as they are large enough to admit those animals. These galleries have square pillars on the outer (west) side and a closed wall on the inner (east) side. The ceiling between the pillars is decorated with lotus rosettes; the west face of the wall with dancing figures; and the east face of the wall with balustered windows, dancing male figures on prancing animals, and devatas, including (south of the entrance) the only one in the temple to be showing her teeth. The period of Angkor is the period from approximately the latter half of the 8th century A.D. to the first half of the 15th century. ... Cardinal directions or cardinal points are the four principal directions or points of the compass, north, east, south and west. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being (i. ... Genera and Species Loxodonta Loxodonta cyclotis Loxodonta africana Elephas Elephas maximus Elephas antiquus â€ Elephas beyeri â€ Elephas celebensis â€ Elephas cypriotes â€ Elephas ekorensis â€ Elephas falconeri â€ Elephas iolensis â€ Elephas planifrons â€ Elephas platycephalus â€ Elephas recki â€ Stegodon â€ Mammuthus â€ Elephantidae (the elephants) is a family of pachyderm, and the only remaining family in the order Proboscidea... Binomial name Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. ... The period of Angkor is the period from approximately the latter half of the 8th century A.D. to the first half of the 15th century. ...

The outer wall encloses a space of 820,000 square metres (203 acres), which besides the temple proper was originally occupied by the city and, to the north of the temple, the royal palace. Like all secular buildings of Angkor, these were built of perishable materials rather than of stone, so nothing remains of them except the outlines of some of the streets.^[29] Most of the area is now covered by forest. A 350 m causeway connects the western gopura to the temple proper, with naga balustrades and six sets of steps leading down to the city on either side. Each side also features a library with entrances at each cardinal point, in front of the third set of stairs from the entrance, and a pond between the library and the temple itself. The ponds are later additions to the design, as is the cruciform terrace guarded by lions connecting the causeway to the central structure.^[30] The period of Angkor is the period from approximately the latter half of the 8th century A.D. to the first half of the 15th century. ... The period of Angkor is the period from approximately the latter half of the 8th century A.D. to the first half of the 15th century. ...

Central structure

The temple stands on a terrace raised higher than the city. It is made of three rectangular galleries rising to a central tower, each level higher than the last. Mannikka interprets these galleries as being dedicated to the king, Brahma, the moon, and Vishnu.^[31] Each gallery has a gopura at each of the points, and the two inner galleries each have towers at their corners, forming a quincunx with the central tower. Because the temple faces west, the features are all set back towards the east, leaving more space to be filled in each enclosure and gallery on the west side; for the same reason the west-facing steps are shallower than those on the other sides. Download high resolution version (2560x1920, 1249 KB)Model of Angkor Wat in Thai Palace I have taken this photo myself in mid 2004 with my own Sony DSC-707. ... Download high resolution version (2560x1920, 1249 KB)Model of Angkor Wat in Thai Palace I have taken this photo myself in mid 2004 with my own Sony DSC-707. ... The period of Angkor is the period from approximately the latter half of the 8th century A.D. to the first half of the 15th century. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article is about Earths moon. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being (i. ... Gopuram of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam Gopuram or gopura, a prominent feature of the Hindu temple architecture of South India, is the rising tower at the entrance of a temple. ... The period of Angkor is the period from approximately the latter half of the 8th century A.D. to the first half of the 15th century. ...

The outer gallery measures 187 by 215 m, with pavilions rather than towers at the corners. The gallery is open to the outside of the temple, with columned half-galleries extending and buttressing the structure. Connecting the outer gallery to the second enclosure on the west side is a cruciform cloister called Preah Poan (the "Hall of a Thousand Buddhas"). Buddha images were left in the cloister by pilgrims over the centuries, although most have now been removed. This area has many inscriptions relating the good deeds of pilgrims, most written in Khmer but others in Burmese and Japanese. The four small courtyards marked out by the cloister may originally have been filled with water.^[32] North and south of the cloister are libraries. Siddhartha and Gautama redirect here. ... Monument to pilgrims in Burgos, Spain This article is on religious pilgrims. ... Note: This page or section contains IPA phonetic symbols in Unicode. ... The period of Angkor is the period from approximately the latter half of the 8th century A.D. to the first half of the 15th century. ...

Beyond, the second and inner galleries are connected to each other and to two flanking libraries by another cruciform terrace, again a later addition. From the second level upwards, devatas abound on the walls, singly or in groups of up to four. The second-level enclosure is 100 by 115 m, and may originally have been flooded to represent the ocean around Mount Meru.^[33] Three sets of steps on each side lead up to the corner towers and gopuras of the inner gallery. The very steep stairways represent the difficulty of ascending to the kingdom of the gods.^[34] This inner gallery, called the Bakan, is a 60 m square with axial galleries connecting each gopura with the central shrine, and subsidiary shrines located below the corner towers. The roofings of the galleries are decorated with the motif of the body of a snake ending in the heads of lions or garudas. Carved lintels and pediments decorate the entrances to the galleries and to the shrines. The tower above the central shrine rises 43 m to a height of 65 m above the ground; unlike those of previous temple mountains, the central tower is raised above the surrounding four.^[35] The shrine itself, originally occupied by a statue of Vishnu and open on each side, was walled in when the temple was converted to Theravada Buddhism, the new walls featuring standing Buddhas. In 1934, the conservator George Trouvé excavated the pit beneath the central shrine: filled with sand and water it had already been robbed of its treasure, but he did find a sacred foundation deposit of gold leaf two metres above ground level.^[36] The period of Angkor is the period from approximately the latter half of the 8th century A.D. to the first half of the 15th century. ... Mount Meru is a sacred mountain in Hindu mythology which is believed to be the abode of Brahma and other gods. ... For other uses, see Lion (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The period of Angkor is the period from approximately the latter half of the 8th century A.D. to the first half of the 15th century. ... Theravada (Pali; Sanskrit: Sthaviravada) is one of the eighteen (or twenty) Nikāya schools that formed early in the history of Buddhism. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Metal leaf. ...

Decoration

Integrated with the architecture of the building, and one of the causes for its fame is Angkor Wat's extensive decoration, which predominantly takes the form of bas-relief friezes. The inner walls of the outer gallery bear a series of large-scale scenes mainly depicting episodes from the Hindu epics the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Higham has called these, "the greatest known linear arrangement of stone carving".^[37] From the north-west corner anti-clockwise, the western gallery shows the Battle of Lanka (from the Ramayana, in which Rama defeats Ravana) and the Battle of Kurukshetra (from the Mahabharata, showing the mutual annihilation of the Kaurava and Pandava clans). On the southern gallery follow the only historical scene, a procession of Suryavarman II, then the 32 hells and 37 heavens of Hindu mythology. Glaize writes of; Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1914x2221, 608 KB) The Churning of the Ocean of Milk, depicted in bas-relief on the south of the east wall of Angkor Wats third enclosure. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1914x2221, 608 KB) The Churning of the Ocean of Milk, depicted in bas-relief on the south of the east wall of Angkor Wats third enclosure. ... In Hinduism, Samudra manthan (Devanagari: à¤¸à¤®à¥à¤¦à¥à¤° à¤®à¤‚à¤¥à¤¨) or The churning of the ocean of milk is one of the most famous episodes in the Puranas and is celebrated in a major way every twelve years in the festival known as Kumbha Mela. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being (i. ... This article is about the concept in Hindu philosophy. ... A carving of the Kurma avatar on a pillar at the Vittala Temple, Hampi, India Kurma is also an alternative transliteration of korma. ... // In Hinduism In Hindu mythology, the Asura (Sanskrit: à¤…à¤¸à¥à¤°) are a group of power-seeking deities, sometimes misleadingly referred to as demons. ... For other uses, see Deva (disambiguation). ... An apsaras from the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, China. ... For other uses, see Indra (disambiguation). ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1676x1540, 1608 KB) Devatas on the northern library of the second level, Angkor Wat. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1676x1540, 1608 KB) Devatas on the northern library of the second level, Angkor Wat. ... Deva is the Hindu term for deity; devatas are a kind of smaller more focused deva, the equivalent of guardian spirits or guardian angels. ... Bas relief is a method of sculpting which entails carving or etching away the surface of a flat piece of stone or metal. ... For the television series by Ramanand Sagar, see Ramayan (TV series). ... For the film by Peter Brook, see The Mahabharata (1989 film). ... Rama ( in IAST, in DevanÄgarÄ«) or Ramachandra is a legendary or historical king of ancient India. ... A depiction of Ravana, Hindu rakshasa King of Lanka In Hinduism, Ravana (Devanagari: à¤°à¤¾à¤µà¤£, Telugu: à°°à°¾à°µà°£à°¾à°¸à±à°°à±à°¡à± IAST ; sometimes transliterated as Raavana or Ravan or Revana) is the principal antagonist of Rama in the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. ... The term Kaurava (Sanskrit:à¤•à¥Œà¤°à¤µ) is a Sanskrit term, that means a descendant of Kuru, a legendary king who is the ancestor of many of the characters of the Mahabharata. ... In the Hindu epic MahÄbhÄrata, the Pandava (or Pandawa) brothers (Sanskrit: à¤ªà¤¾à¤£à¥â€à¤¡à¤µ ) are the five acknowledged sons of Pandu (Sanskrit: à¤ªà¤¾à¤‚à¤¡à¥), by his two wives Kunti and Madri. ... Suryavarman II depicted in a bas-relief at Angkor Wat. ... This article is about the theological or philosophical afterlife. ... For other uses, see Heaven (disambiguation). ...

On the eastern gallery is one of the most celebrated scenes, the Churning of the Sea of Milk, showing 92 asuras and 88 devas using the serpent Vasuki to churn the sea under Vishnu's direction (Mannikka counts only 91 asuras, and explains the asymmetrical numbers as representing the number of days from the winter solstice to the spring equinox, and from the equinox to the summer solstice).^[39] It is followed by Vishnu defeating asuras (a 16th-century addition). The northern gallery shows Krishna's victory over Bana (where according to Glaize, "The workmanship is at its worst"^[40]) and a battle between the Hindu gods and asuras. The north-west and south-west corner pavilions both feature much smaller-scale scenes, some unidentified but most from the Ramayana or the life of Krishna. A carving of the Kurma avatar on a pillar at the Vittala Temple, Hampi, India Kurma is also an alternative transliteration of korma. ... // In Hinduism In Hindu mythology, the Asura (Sanskrit: à¤…à¤¸à¥à¤°) are a group of power-seeking deities, sometimes misleadingly referred to as demons. ... For other uses, see Deva (disambiguation). ... Vasuki is a naga, or one of the serpents of Hindu mythology. ... This article is about the astronomical and cultural event of winters solstice, also known as midwinter. ... In astronomy, the vernal equinox (spring equinox, March equinox, or northward equinox) is the equinox at the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere: the moment when the sun appears to cross the celestial equator, heading northward. ... â€œSummer solsticeâ€ redirects here. ... // In Hinduism In Hindu mythology, the Asura (Sanskrit: à¤…à¤¸à¥à¤°) are a group of power-seeking deities, sometimes misleadingly referred to as demons. ... Bana (also called Banasura(Sanskrit: à¤¬à¤¾à¤£à¤¾à¤¸à¥à¤°)), in Hindu mythology, was a thousand-armed asura and son of Bali. ... This article is about the Hindu deity. ...

Angkor Wat today

Since the 1990s, Angkor Wat has seen a resumption of conservation efforts and a massive increase in tourism. The temple is part of the Angkor World Heritage Site, established in 1992, which has provided some funding and has encouraged the Cambodian government to protect the site.^[41] The German Apsara Conservation Project (GACP) is working to protect the devatas and other bas-reliefs which decorate the temple from damage. The organisation's survey found that around 20% of the devatas were in very poor condition, mainly because of natural erosion and deterioration of the stone but in part also due to earlier restoration efforts.^[42] Other work involves the repair of collapsed sections of the structure, and prevention of further collapse: the west facade of the upper level, for example, has been buttressed by scaffolding since 2002,^[43] while a Japanese team completed restoration of the north library of the outer enclosure in 2005.^[44] World Monuments Fund began work on the Churning of the Sea of Milk Gallery in 2008. Download high resolution version (802x720, 197 KB)Model by Dy Proeung, in Siem Reap, Cambodia, of Angkor Wat central structure. ... Download high resolution version (802x720, 197 KB)Model by Dy Proeung, in Siem Reap, Cambodia, of Angkor Wat central structure. ... Tourist redirects here. ... A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a specific site (such as a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex, or city) that has been nominated and confirmed for inclusion on the list maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 State... The German Apsara Conservation Project (GACP) is a non-profit organisation based at the University of Applied Sciences, Cologne dedicated to preserving the devatas (or apsaras) and other bas-reliefs of Angkor Wat. ... The period of Angkor is the period from approximately the latter half of the 8th century A.D. to the first half of the 15th century. ... The World Monuments Fund (WMF) is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of historic art and architecture worldwide through fieldwork, advocacy, grantmaking, education, and training. ...

Angkor Wat has become a major tourist destination: attendance figures for the temple are not published, but in 2004 the country received just over a million international arrivals,^[45] of whom according to the Ministry of Tourism 57% planned to visit the temple.^[46] The influx of tourists has so far caused relatively little damage, other than some graffiti; ropes and wooden steps have been introduced to protect the bas-reliefs and floors, respectively. Tourism has also provided some additional funds for maintenance—approximately 28% of ticket revenues across the whole Angkor site is spent on the temples—although most work is carried out by foreign government-sponsored teams rather than by the Cambodian authorities.^[47]
For other uses, see Graffiti (disambiguation). ... Map of the Angkor region in Cambodia. ...

Notes

^ Higham, The Civilization of Angkor p. 2.
^ APSARA Authority, Angkor Vat.
^ Mannikka, Angkor Wat, 1113-1150
^ Glaize, The Monuments of the Angkor Group p. 59.
^ Higham, The Civilization of Angkor pp. 1-2.
^ Quoted in Brief Presentation by Venerable Vodano Sophan Seng
^ Glaize p. 59.
^ APSARA authority, The Modern Period: The war
^ Flags of the World, Cambodian Flag History
^ CIA World Factbook, Flag of Cambodia
^ The Nation January 31, 2003, Editor Didn't Check Rumour
^ Freeman and Jacques p. 48.
^ Glaize p. 62.
^ The diplomatic envoy Zhou Da Guan sent by Emperor Temur Khan to Angkor in 1295 reported that the head of state was buried in tower after death, and he referred to Angkor Wat as a mausoleum
^ Glaize p. 59.
^ Higham, The Civilization of Angkor p. 118.
^ Freeman and Jacques p. 48.
^ Mannikka, Angkor Wat, 1113-1150
^ Higham, The Civilization of Angkor p. 118.
^ Transcript of Atlantis Reborn, broadcast BBC2 November 4, 1999.
^ German Apsara Conservation Project Building Techniques, p. 5.
^ Glaize p. 25.
^ APSARA authority, Angkor Vat Style
^ Freeman and Jacques p. 29.
^ Freeman and Jacques, Ancient Angkor p. 31.
^ Freeman and Jacques p. 49.
^ Glaize p. 61.
^ Freeman and Jacques p. 49.
^ Freeman and Jacques p. 50.
^ Freeman and Jacques p. 50.
^ Mannikka, Angkor Wat, 1113-1150
^ Glaize p. 63.
^ Ray, Lonely Planet guide to Cambodia p. 195.
^ Ray p. 199.
^ Briggs p. 199.
^ Glaize p. 65.
^ Higham, Early Cultures of Mainland Southeast Asia p. 318.
^ Glaize p. 68.
^ Described in Michael Buckley, The Churning of the Ocean of Milk
^ Glaize p. 69.
^ Hing Thoraxy, Achievement of "APSARA"
^ German Apsara Conservation Project, Conservation, Risk Map, p. 2.
^ APSARA authority, Yashodhara no. 6: January - June 2002
^ APSARA authority, News 19 July 2005
^ Tales of Asia, Cambodia Update February 2005: One Million
^ Tales of Asia, Cambodia Update July 2004: Tourism Boom?
^ Tales of Asia, Preserving Angkor: Interview with Ang Choulean (October 13, 2000)

The CIA Seal The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is an American intelligence agency, responsible for obtaining and analyzing information about foreign governments, corporations, and individuals, and reporting such information to the various branches of the U.S. Government. ... is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... ... For the BBC radio station, see BBC Radio 2. ... is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events of 2008: (EMILY) Me Lesley and MIley are going to China! This article is about the year. ...

References

id="External_links"> is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events of 2008: (EMILY) Me Lesley and MIley are going to China! This article is about the year. ... For the BBC radio station, see BBC Radio 2. ... is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events of 2008: (EMILY) Me Lesley and MIley are going to China! This article is about the year. ... is the 206th day of the year (207th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 206th day of the year (207th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 206th day of the year (207th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 99th day of the year (100th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 202nd day of the year (203rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 195th day of the year (196th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 207th day of the year (208th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 206th day of the year (207th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 206th day of the year (207th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 148th day of the year (149th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 206th day of the year (207th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... Map of the Angkor region in Cambodia. ... Map of the Angkor region in Cambodia. ... Face-tower of the South Gate, showing Avalokiteshvara Bayon temple, Angkor Thom The Terrace of the Leper King, showing apsara Angkor Thom was the fortified inner royal city built by Jayavarman VII (1181 - 1220?), Buddhist king of the Khmer Empire, at the end of the 12th Century, after Angkor had... Angkor viewed from space The Bayon temple at Angkor Angkor is the ancient capital of the Khmer empire (history) which thrived from the 9th century to 15th century CE. Its ruins are located in forests to the north of the Great Lake (Tonle Sap), near present day Siem Reap, Cambodia... Baksei Chamkrong at Angkor, Cambodia, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, built in the middle of the 10th century, and completed during the reign of Rajendravarman II (941-968). ... Angkor viewed from space The Bayon temple at Angkor Angkor is the ancient capital of the Khmer empire (history) which thrived from the 9th century to 15th century CE. Its ruins are located in forests to the north of the Great Lake (Tonle Sap), near present day Siem Reap, Cambodia... Banteay SamrÃ© is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia located east of the East Baray. ... Banteay Srei (or Banteay Srey) is one of the most unusual temples of Angkor, Cambodia. ... The layout of the temple as seen from above Pen and watercolor reconstruction of what the temple may have looked in the 11th century by Lucien Fournereau in 1889 The Baphuon is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia. ... [[Image:Bayon-temple. ... Angkor viewed from space The Bayon temple at Angkor Angkor is the ancient capital of the Khmer empire (history) which thrived from the 9th century to 15th century CE. Its ruins are located in forests to the north of the Great Lake (Tonle Sap), near present day Siem Reap, Cambodia... The East Baray is a baray at Angkor, Cambodia, orientated east-west and located just east of Angkor Thom. ... The East Mebon is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia, located in the centre of the East Baray. ... Kbal Spean (Head Bridge) is an Angkorian era site on the southwest slopes of the Kulen Hills, 25 km from the main Angkor group. ... The Khleangs are two buildings of unknown purpose on the east side of the Royal Square in Angkor Thom, Cambodia. ... Krol Ko at Angkor, Cambodia, is a Buddhist temple built at the end of the 12th century under the rule of Jayavarman VII. It is north of Neak Pean. ... Lolei temple at Angkor, Cambodia Lolei is the northernmost temple of the Roluos group at Angkor, Cambodia. ... Neak Pean at Angkor, Cambodia is an artificial island with a Buddhist temple at the center of Jayatataka Baray, or Pool of Jayavarman. ... Phimeanakas at Angkor, Cambodia, is a Hindu temple in the Khleang style, built at the end of the 10th century, during the reign of Rajendravarman II (from 941-968). ... Categories: Stub | Buildings and structures of Cambodia ... Phnom Bok is a temple in Angkor, the area of Cambodia that was capital of the Khmer Empire. ... Phnom Krom is a hilltop temple in Angkor, Cambodia. ... Prasat Ak Yum is a temple of Angkor, Cambodia. ... Angkor viewed from space The Bayon temple at Angkor Angkor is the ancient capital of the Khmer empire (history) which thrived from the 9th century to 15th century CE. Its ruins are located in forests to the north of the Great Lake (Tonle Sap), near present day Siem Reap, Cambodia... Prasat Preah Vihear is situated near to the Thai border of Sisaket Province. ... The ruined temple is still a destination for Buddhist pilgrims. ... Angkor viewed from space The Bayon temple at Angkor Angkor is the ancient capital of the Khmer empire (history) which thrived from the 9th century to 15th century CE. Its ruins are located in forests to the north of the Great Lake (Tonle Sap), near present day Siem Reap, Cambodia... Preah Palilay is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia. ... Preah Pithu is a group of five temples at Angkor, Cambodia, located in Angkor Thom east of the Terrace of the Elephants. ... Pre Rup is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia, built as the state temple of king Rajendravarman and dedicated in 961 or 962. ... Spean Thma at Angkor, Cambodia is known as the bridge of stone west of Ta Keo. ... Srah Srang is a baray at Angkor, Cambodia, located south of the East Baray and east of Banteay Kdei. ... Angkor viewed from space The Bayon temple at Angkor Angkor is the ancient capital of the Khmer empire (history) which thrived from the 9th century to 15th century CE. Its ruins are located in forests to the north of the Great Lake (Tonle Sap), near present day Siem Reap, Cambodia... Ta Nei is a late 12th Century stone temple located in Angkor, Cambodia. ... Face tower on the fifth western gopura. ... Ta Som at Angkor, Cambodia, is a small Buddhist temple dedicated to the father of King Jayavarman VII. It was built at the end of the 12th century. ... Terrace of the Elephants, Angkor, Cambodia The Terrace of the Elephants is part of the walled city of Angkor Thom, a ruined temple complex in Cambodia. ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion, because: it is patent nonsense. ... Thommanon at Angkor, Cambodia, is one of a pair of Hindu temples built in the end of the 11th century, completed during the reign of Suryavarman II (from 1113-1150). ... The West Baray is a baray at Angkor, Cambodia, oriented east-west and located just west of Angkor Thom. ... The West Mebon is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia, located in the centre of the West Baray. ... Yasodharapura was the first capital of the Khmer empire to be built at the Angkor site. ... For the 1981 song by British singer Kim Wilde, see Cambodia (song) . Motto: Nation, Religion, King Anthem: Nokoreach Capital (and largest city) Phnom Penh Official languages Khmer Demonym Cambodian Government Constitutional monarchy - King Norodom Sihamoni - Prime Minister Hun Sen Independence - from France November 9, 1953 Area - Total 181,035 km... Banteay Chhmar is a large temple complex in northwest Cambodia, Banteay Meanchey province, 63km north of Sisophon and fairly near to the Thai border. ... Beng Mealea is a temple in the Angkor Wat style located 40 km east of the main group of temples at Angkor, Cambodia, and 77 km from Siem Reap by road. ... Koh Ker is an Angkorian site in northern Cambodia. ... Prasat Preah Vihear is situated near to the Thai border of Sisaket Province. ... Lopburi is a city in Thailand, capital of the Lopburi province. ... Phanom Rung (Thai: ), or, with its full name, Prasat Hin Phanom Rung (Phanom Rung Stone Castle), is a Khmer temple complex set on the rim of an extinct volcano at 1,320 feet above sea level, in Buriram province in the Isan region of Thailand. ... Categories: Possible copyright violations ... Main shrine The Phimai historical park protects one of the most important Khmer temples of Thailand. ... Northern gopura Mueang Sing is a historical park in the Sai Yok district, Kanchanaburi province, Thailand. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with :Vat Phou. ... Oum Moung is an Angkorian temple in Laos, near to Wat Phou. ... Siem Reap, is a province located in northwestern Cambodia, on the shores of the Tonle Sap lake. ... Fruit vendor at the Siem Reap market. ... Angkor Chum District is a district located in Siem Reap Province, in north-west Cambodia. ... Angkor Thom District is an administrative district located in Siem Reap Province, in north-west Cambodia. ... Banteay Srei District is a district located in Siem Reap Province, in north-west Cambodia. ... Chi Kraeng District is a district located in Siem Reap Province, in north-west Cambodia. ... Puok Thala District is a district located in Siem Reap Province, in north-west Cambodia. ... Kralanh District is a district located in Siem Reap Province, in north-west Cambodia. ... Prasat Bakong District is a district located in Siem Reap Province, in north-west Cambodia. ... Siem Reap District is an administrative district located in Siem Reap Province, in north-west Cambodia. ... Sout Nikom District is a district located in Siem Reap Province, in north-west Cambodia. ... Srei Snam District is a district located in Siem Reap Province, in north-west Cambodia. ... Svay Leu District is a district located in Siem Reap Province, in north-west Cambodia. ... Variin District is a district located in Siem Reap Province, in north-west Cambodia. ... Image File history File links Cambodia-Siem_Reap. ... The Siem Reap River is a river flowing through Siem Reap Province, in north-west Cambodia. ... NASA satellite image of the Tonle Sap (the Great Lake) The Tonlé Sap (meaning Large Fresh Water River but more commonly translated as Great Lake) is a combined lake and river system of huge importance to Cambodia. ... Map of the Angkor region in Cambodia. ... Face-tower of the South Gate, showing Avalokiteshvara Bayon temple, Angkor Thom The Terrace of the Leper King, showing apsara Angkor Thom was the fortified inner royal city built by Jayavarman VII (1181 - 1220?), Buddhist king of the Khmer Empire, at the end of the 12th Century, after Angkor had... Banteay Srei (or Banteay Srey) is one of the most unusual temples of Angkor, Cambodia. ... The layout of the temple as seen from above Pen and watercolor reconstruction of what the temple may have looked in the 11th century by Lucien Fournereau in 1889 The Baphuon is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia. ... [[Image:Bayon-temple. ... Face tower on the fifth western gopura. ...

Contents

Name GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");