Angkor Wat - City of Temples
Siem Reap Province, Cambodia
Historical Overview
Angkor Wat (Khmer: អង្គរវត្ត, meaning "City of Temples") is the largest religious monument in the world, covering an area of approximately 162.6 hectares (402 acres). Built in the early 12th century (1113-1150 CE) by Khmer King Suryavarman II, it was originally constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, but gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple by the end of the 12th century. The temple complex represents the pinnacle of classical Khmer architecture and has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on the national flag and serving as the country's prime tourist attraction.
The construction of Angkor Wat took approximately 30 years and required the labor of thousands of workers and craftsmen. Unlike most Khmer temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west, which is associated with Vishnu and suggests it may have been intended as a funerary temple for Suryavarman II. The temple's architecture is designed to represent Mount Meru, the home of the gods in Hindu mythology, with its five towers symbolizing the five peaks of the mountain, surrounded by walls representing the mountains at the edge of the world, and the moat representing the cosmic ocean.
Jayavarman II establishes Khmer Empire at Angkor
King Suryavarman II builds Angkor Wat as state temple and capital
Gradual conversion from Hindu to Buddhist worship begins
Cham invasion and sacking of Angkor
Theravada Buddhism fully established; Buddhist statuary added
Thai invasion; Khmer court abandons Angkor for Phnom Penh
Buddhist monks maintain temple; visited by Portuguese and Spanish explorers
Henri Mouhot's published accounts bring Western attention (though never truly "lost")
UNESCO World Heritage Site designation; international restoration begins
Listed as endangered due to civil war; removed from danger list 2004
Architectural Marvel
Angkor Wat represents the high classical style of Khmer architecture and is distinguished by its perfect proportions, sophisticated bas-reliefs, and symbolic representation of Hindu cosmology. The temple's design embodies religious, political, and cosmological significance in every dimension.
📐 Layout & Dimensions
- Total area: 162.6 hectares (1,626,000 m²)
- Moat dimensions: 190m wide, 5.5km circumference
- Outer wall: 1,025m x 800m
- Central temple: Three rectangular galleries
- Central tower height: 65m (213 ft) above ground
- Perfect east-west orientation (unusual western face)
- Built entirely of sandstone blocks
🗻 Mount Meru Symbolism
- Five towers represent Mount Meru's five peaks
- Central tower: Home of the gods
- Three enclosures: Three levels of heaven
- Moat: Cosmic ocean surrounding earth
- Walls: Mountain ranges at world's edge
- Causeway: Rainbow bridge to divine realm
- Entire complex is microcosm of universe
🎨 Bas-Relief Galleries
- 800 meters of narrative bas-reliefs
- Churning of the Ocean of Milk (south gallery)
- Battle of Kurukshetra from Mahabharata
- Procession of Suryavarman II
- Heaven and Hell scenes (32 hells, 37 heavens)
- Battle of Lanka from Ramayana
- Battle between gods and demons
- Over 1,500 apsaras (celestial dancers)
🌺 Apsara Carvings
- Nearly 2,000 apsara devata carvings
- Each figure unique in dress and expression
- 37 different hairstyles identified
- Celestial dancers and divine attendants
- Emerged from Churning of Ocean
- Symbol of heavenly beauty and grace
- Worn by time but still magnificent
🔨 Construction Techniques
- 5-10 million sandstone blocks used
- Stone quarried 40km away at Phnom Kulen
- Transported via canals and elephants
- Blocks fitted without mortar
- Corbel arch vaulting technique
- Precision stone carving in situ
- Engineering marvel for its era
💧 Water Management
- Sophisticated hydraulic system
- Moat and reservoirs (barays)
- Irrigation for agriculture
- Symbolizes cosmic ocean
- Also served defensive purpose
- Sustained large urban population
- Climate change theories for Angkor's decline
Religious & Mythological Significance
Angkor Wat uniquely bridges Hindu and Buddhist traditions, beginning as a Vaishnavite temple and transforming into a Theravada Buddhist pilgrimage site. The temple's iconography reflects the religious syncretism that characterized Khmer civilization.
🌊 Churning of the Ocean of Milk
The most famous bas-relief depicts this central Hindu creation myth:
- Gods (devas) and demons (asuras) cooperate
- Use serpent Vasuki as churning rope
- Mount Mandara as churning staff
- Vishnu as turtle Kurma supports mountain
- Churn ocean to produce amrita (immortality elixir)
- Apsaras, goddess Lakshmi emerge
- 54 meters long, most photographed relief
🏹 Ramayana Scenes
- Battle of Lanka on north gallery west wing
- Rama and Lakshmana vs. Ravana
- Monkey army of Hanuman aids Rama
- Rescue of Sita from demon king
- Triumph of dharma over adharma
- Particularly revered in Cambodian culture
⚔️ Mahabharata Depictions
- Battle of Kurukshetra on south gallery west wing
- Pandavas vs. Kauravas
- Krishna as Arjuna's charioteer
- Bhishma on bed of arrows
- Epic struggle between good and evil
- Reflects Khmer royal ideology
☸️ Buddhist Transformation
- Gradual conversion 12th-14th centuries
- Buddha images added to galleries
- Some Hindu deities defaced or replaced
- Theravada Buddhism became dominant
- Temple reinterpreted as Buddhist cosmology
- Continuous worship to present day
- Living temple with resident monks
👑 Devaraja Cult
- King as divine incarnation on earth
- Suryavarman II as manifestation of Vishnu
- Temple as royal mausoleum
- King depicted in bas-reliefs
- Sacred geography legitimizes rule
- Temple = cosmic mountain = royal power
🌅 Cosmological Alignment
- Western orientation unique among Angkor temples
- Associated with death and Vishnu
- Equinox sunrise aligns with central tower
- Solar and lunar astronomical observations
- Proportions based on Vedic mathematics
- Encodes religious and astronomical knowledge
Associated Deities & Figures
Vishnu
Preserver deity to whom temple was originally dedicated. Appears as Kurma (turtle) and in many avatars
Vasuki
Serpent king used as rope in Churning of Ocean. Nagas feature prominently in Khmer architecture
Apsaras
Celestial dancers emerged from churning ocean. Nearly 2,000 unique carvings adorn the temple
Rama
Avatar of Vishnu, hero of Ramayana. His battle with Ravana depicted in extensive bas-reliefs
Hanuman
Monkey god, devoted servant of Rama. Leader of monkey army in Battle of Lanka
Buddha
Later Buddhist images added throughout. Temple became major Theravada pilgrimage site
Lakshmi
Goddess of prosperity, emerged from churning ocean. Depicted in bas-reliefs
Shiva & Brahma
Other Trimurti deities also represented, showing Khmer religious synthesis
Historical Rituals & Modern Worship
🕉️ Hindu Period Rituals (12th-13th c.)
- Daily puja ceremonies to Vishnu
- Royal patronage and participation
- Offerings of flowers, incense, food
- Sacred dance performances by devadasis
- Festival celebrations throughout year
- Priestly Brahmin class maintained temple
- Funerary rites for Suryavarman II
☸️ Buddhist Practices (14th c.-Present)
- Theravada Buddhist monastics resident
- Daily meditation and chanting
- Pilgrimage destination for Buddhists
- Water blessing ceremonies
- Merit-making offerings at Buddha images
- Traditional Cambodian Buddhism maintained
- Coexistence with Hindu iconography
🎊 Khmer New Year
- Major celebration at Angkor Wat (April)
- Tens of thousands of pilgrims attend
- Traditional games and ceremonies
- Water blessings from monks
- Offerings at shrines throughout complex
- Cultural performances and festivities
- National and spiritual celebration combined
🌅 Sunrise Rituals
- Equinox sunrise aligns with central tower
- Special significance during spring/fall equinoxes
- Modern spiritual tourism phenomenon
- Thousands gather for sunrise viewing
- Reflection in western moat creates iconic image
- Personal meditation and prayers
🙏 Local Devotion
- Cambodians visit for blessings and merit
- Prayers for health, prosperity, success
- Incense and flower offerings
- Consultation with resident monks
- Life event commemorations (weddings, etc.)
- Deep spiritual connection for Khmers
- Symbol of national identity and pride
🎭 Classical Dance
- Apsara dance inspired by stone carvings
- Revived and preserved as cultural heritage
- Performances at temple and cultural venues
- Living connection to ancient traditions
- Royal ballet performed for ceremonies
- UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
Modern Significance & Preservation
Angkor Wat stands as a symbol of Cambodian national identity and cultural continuity through centuries of upheaval. Its preservation represents one of the world's most significant archaeological and conservation efforts.
🇰🇭 National Symbol
- Featured on Cambodian flag since 1863
- Only building on any national flag
- Source of profound national pride
- Symbol of Khmer cultural achievement
- Unifying symbol through political turmoil
- Represents continuity of civilization
- Featured on currency, official seals
🏛️ UNESCO World Heritage (1992)
- Designated for outstanding universal value
- Initially listed as endangered (1992-2004)
- Civil war and looting threatened site
- International restoration efforts coordinated
- Removed from danger list 2004
- Model for heritage conservation
🔨 Conservation Challenges
- Vegetation damage from tree roots
- Sandstone erosion and weathering
- Water damage and moisture
- Mass tourism impacts (2+ million visitors/year)
- Climate change threats
- Balancing preservation with access
- Ongoing stabilization required
🌐 International Cooperation
- Teams from Japan, France, India, China
- APSARA Authority manages site
- Archaeological research ongoing
- Training Cambodian conservators
- Technological innovations in preservation
- 3D scanning and documentation
- Sustainable tourism development
💰 Economic Impact
- Cambodia's largest tourist attraction
- 2+ million international visitors annually
- Major source of foreign exchange
- Employment for thousands locally
- Tourism accounts for 12% of GDP
- Balancing economic needs with preservation
- Community development programs
📚 Academic Research
- Ongoing archaeological excavations
- LiDAR reveals massive urban complex
- Hydraulic system studies
- Astronomical alignment research
- Art historical analysis
- Climate change and decline theories
- Digital humanities documentation
Visitor Information
🎫 Access & Tickets
- Base: Siem Reap town (6km away)
- Passes: 1-day ($37), 3-day ($62), 7-day ($72)
- Hours: 5:00 AM - 5:30 PM daily
- Sunrise entry: From 5:00 AM (arrive early)
- Ticket includes: All Angkor Archaeological Park temples
- Children under 12: Free
- Photo required: Taken on-site for pass
🌡️ Best Time to Visit
- Season: November to February (cool & dry)
- Avoid: March-May (extreme heat 35-40°C)
- Monsoon: June-October (wet but less crowded)
- Sunrise: Worth the early wake-up
- Crowds: Arrive early or late afternoon
- Photography: Morning light is best
👕 Dress Code & Etiquette
- Shoulders and knees must be covered
- No revealing or tight clothing
- Scarves/wraps available for purchase
- Remove shoes at certain areas
- Respectful behavior at Buddhist shrines
- No touching bas-reliefs or carvings
- Active place of worship - be mindful
🚶 Exploring the Temple
- Allow 2-3 hours minimum
- Full day recommended for thorough visit
- Steep stairs to upper terraces
- Walk clockwise (traditional Buddhist practice)
- Bring flashlight for inner galleries
- Guided tours available (recommended)
- Audio guides can be rented
🏛️ Other Angkor Temples
- Angkor Thom: Last capital, Bayon temple
- Ta Prohm: Trees growing through ruins
- Banteay Srei: Pink sandstone, intricate carvings
- Preah Khan: Sprawling monastic complex
- Ta Som: Strangler fig in gopura
- 100+ temples in archaeological park
- Multi-day pass worthwhile
💡 Practical Tips
- Bring plenty of water (hot and humid)
- Sun protection essential (hat, sunscreen)
- Comfortable walking shoes required
- Insect repellent recommended
- Sunrise spots fill early (arrive 5:00 AM)
- Tuk-tuks and bikes available for hire
- Cash only for most vendors
- Download offline map
Related Topics & Further Exploration
Explore Connections
Discover related temples and archetypal themes:
Sources & Further Reading
Historical Sources:
- Zhou Daguan: A Record of Cambodia: The Land and Its People (1296)
- Inscriptions of King Suryavarman II
- Henri Mouhot: Travels in Siam, Cambodia, Laos, and Annam (1864)
Architecture & Art:
- Freeman, Michael & Jacques, Claude. Ancient Angkor. River Books, 2003.
- Dumarçay, Jacques & Royère, Pascal. Cambodian Architecture. Brill, 2001.
- Jessup, Helen & Zephir, Thierry (eds.). Sculpture of Angkor and Ancient Cambodia. Thames & Hudson, 1997.
- Mannikka, Eleanor. Angkor Wat: Time, Space and Kingship. University of Hawaii Press, 1996.
History & Civilization:
- Chandler, David. A History of Cambodia. Westview Press, 2007.
- Coe, Michael D. Angkor and the Khmer Civilization. Thames & Hudson, 2003.
- Higham, Charles. The Civilization of Angkor. University of California Press, 2001.
Conservation & Research:
- Jacques, Claude & Freeman, Michael. Angkor: Cities and Temples. River Books, 2013.
- Evans, Damian et al. "Uncovering archaeological landscapes at Angkor using lidar." PNAS, 2013.
- APSARA Authority reports on conservation efforts