Enchanting Angkor Wat
By Tom Bel
The Oriental history, culture and traditions charm one and all. For centuries, and ever more so since the travels of Marco Polo, people have been attracted towards the oriental magnificence. History, traditions, cultures and religious faith of China and India have influenced the whole world and the human kind. Since the ancient times as both China and India were the most powerful nations in Asia, their socio-economic, political as well as religious influences can be clearly found among many south and south-east Asian countries until the present. Cambodia is one such country where both Chinese and Indian cultures have mingled together to advance the birth of a unique Cambodian culture.
Cambodia is a country rich in Buddhist temples and monuments, but one monumental site stands above them all - the legendary civilization of Angkor, dominated by the most famous temple of them all, the magnificent Angkor Wat. It is not only the biggest religious building of its kind in the whole world but also a splendid example of temple architecture.
The roots of Angkor are not Buddhist but Hindu. The Hindu king Suryavarman II is credited to have patronized the construction of the temple in the 12th century. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the world, according to Hindu mythology.
Only later on the temple became a center of Buddhism too. In Cambodia's modern history the temple has become a symbol of the nation and appears on the national flag. And not surprisingly the Angkor Wat is the country's most popular tourist destination.
The temple is an example of high classical style of Khmer architecture and reminds us of the monumental architecture of ancient Greece and Rome. The harmony of its design and perfection with which it has been executed renders its place among the greatest man-made monuments of mankind.
It was indeed a work of power, unity and style to fathom the axial galleries, terraces and passageways that give the temple its monumental magnificence. The decorative elements, namely bas-reliefs, devatas (or apsaras), extensive garlands and narrative scenes complete the impact of the structure.
When the famous Portuguese monk Antonio Magdalena, who visited the temple in 1586, wrote that the Angkor Wat is such an extraordinary structure that it is not possible to describe it in words, he did not just utter superlatives of a layman. By this time Europe had passed through Gothic, experienced Renaissance and stood on doorsteps of spectacular Baroque monuments. Rightfully so, he understood Angkor temples exuded complex architecture and impressive decorative style that only the most exceptional human genius can conceive.
Though the Portuguese monk was not the first European that set his eyes on Angkor in the 16th century but the first who wrote about it, it was not until the publication of Henri Mouhot's travel notes that made Europeans take notice, especially since the image was vividly painted of dense Khmer civilization rising out of dense jungle, and ever since engines of jungle clearing, reconstruction and preservation have been set in motion, including one having to clear the Angkor monuments of landmines, a leftover of the Khmer Rouge era.
Today tourists from all corners of the world come and visit the temple and discover for themselves that Angkor Wat is truly one of the wonders of the world. UNESCO certainly had declared it as a World Heritage Site and has provided funds for its restoration. On account of its Hindu cultural roots even the Archeological Survey of India had carried out an extensive restoration work here during (1986-1992) and had given the temple a new life.
Cambodia is a country rich in Buddhist temples and monuments, but one monumental site stands above them all - the legendary civilization of Angkor, dominated by the most famous temple of them all, the magnificent Angkor Wat. It is not only the biggest religious building of its kind in the whole world but also a splendid example of temple architecture.
The roots of Angkor are not Buddhist but Hindu. The Hindu king Suryavarman II is credited to have patronized the construction of the temple in the 12th century. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the world, according to Hindu mythology.
Only later on the temple became a center of Buddhism too. In Cambodia's modern history the temple has become a symbol of the nation and appears on the national flag. And not surprisingly the Angkor Wat is the country's most popular tourist destination.The temple is an example of high classical style of Khmer architecture and reminds us of the monumental architecture of ancient Greece and Rome. The harmony of its design and perfection with which it has been executed renders its place among the greatest man-made monuments of mankind.
It was indeed a work of power, unity and style to fathom the axial galleries, terraces and passageways that give the temple its monumental magnificence. The decorative elements, namely bas-reliefs, devatas (or apsaras), extensive garlands and narrative scenes complete the impact of the structure.
When the famous Portuguese monk Antonio Magdalena, who visited the temple in 1586, wrote that the Angkor Wat is such an extraordinary structure that it is not possible to describe it in words, he did not just utter superlatives of a layman. By this time Europe had passed through Gothic, experienced Renaissance and stood on doorsteps of spectacular Baroque monuments. Rightfully so, he understood Angkor temples exuded complex architecture and impressive decorative style that only the most exceptional human genius can conceive.
Though the Portuguese monk was not the first European that set his eyes on Angkor in the 16th century but the first who wrote about it, it was not until the publication of Henri Mouhot's travel notes that made Europeans take notice, especially since the image was vividly painted of dense Khmer civilization rising out of dense jungle, and ever since engines of jungle clearing, reconstruction and preservation have been set in motion, including one having to clear the Angkor monuments of landmines, a leftover of the Khmer Rouge era.
Today tourists from all corners of the world come and visit the temple and discover for themselves that Angkor Wat is truly one of the wonders of the world. UNESCO certainly had declared it as a World Heritage Site and has provided funds for its restoration. On account of its Hindu cultural roots even the Archeological Survey of India had carried out an extensive restoration work here during (1986-1992) and had given the temple a new life.Visiting Angkor Wat is a must for every tourist who turns his attention towards South-East Asia. Located on the outskirts of Cambodia's second largest city, Siem Reap, it can be visited as part of virtually any Cambodia tour.
Angkor Wat tour can certainly be added to any Indochina tour, and is easily done even as a short side trip from Bangkok, Hanoi or Saigon.
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