Angkor Wat History

"A simplified version of History Angkor Wat
–- a piece of Khmer History "

Angkor watt angkor cambodia siem reap cambodia backpacking tips asia
Angkor Wat History: Angkor Watt in Dec 2007

When visiting Siem Reap in Cambodia, it's a must to visit Angkor Wat -- the most famous site in Angkor Park.

Not only is it the world's largest religious building, but also a symbol of Cambodia.

The history of Angkor Wat is vast and complex. In this article I attempt to simplify it.



Angkor watt carvings angkor wat history angkor cambodia siem reap cambodia backpacking tips asia
Angkor Wat History: Carvings
So, what is Angkor Wat and who built it?

Angkor Wat was built by Suryavarman the 2nd from 1113 to 1150. Suryavarman the 2nd identified himself with Vishnu -– the supreme god in Hinduism. That's why there are carvings in Angkor Wat related to the mythology of Vishnu.

When Suryavarman the 2nd died, the temple became his mausoleum.

In the 13th century, the Khmer empire was occupied by the first large Thai state -– Sukhotai. Sukhotai had occupied much of western and northern territories of the Khmer empire. That meant that Angkor Wat was transformed from a Vishnuite sanctuary into a Buddhist wat.

In 1430 a Thai king conquered Angkor in seven months. Their power influenced the art of Angkor of the following centuries. Statues of Buddha is one of the clear signs.



Angkor watt sunrise view angkor wat history angkor cambodia siem reap cambodia backpacking tips asia
Angkor Wat History: Sunrise view
The moat surrounding the Angkor Wat Complex is fed by a canal from Siem Reap River. The area surrounded by the outer wall of Angkor Wat housed the temple personnel as well as the king and his court, with all the people who revolved around it, perhaps as many as 20,000 people.

The complex faces the west. There are various theories about why it faces the west, but the most intriguing one is this:

the temple was formerly dedicated to Vishnu, who is connected to the Western quarter of the universe. The temple was also used as the king's tomb and therefore it faces west. Western orientation is the cardinal point of the dead.

There are two causeways inside Angkor Wat Complex. The main causeway is 250 meters long and 12 meters wide, paved with sandstone.

On each side of the causeway, you can see the 'nagas'. Nagas are serpents with five or seven heads, a typical Indian symbol. The nagas incorporate the ancestral figure of the dragon of the waters, which brings rain and is the symbol of the rainbow that links the earth and the sky.

Angkor watt naga angkor wat history angkor cambodia siem reap cambodia backpacking tips asia
Angkor Wat History: Naga

Once you're past the entrance, on the walls you'll see carvings of 'devata', which are female deities. There are more than 1500 of them in Angkor Wat.

One of the exciting features of Angkor Watt is the bas reliefs. Given the fact that Angkor Wat was a mausoleum, many scholars believe that the bas reliefs should be read counter clockwise.

Angkor watt wall bas reliefs angkor wat history angkor cambodia siem reap cambodia backpacking tips asia
Angkor Wat History: Bas reliefs (Angkor Watt in April 2010)

For instance; in the west gallery of the south wing there's a representation of the battle of Kurukshetra, the field north of Delhi. You can see hero Arjuna, who is shooting arrow from his chariot. His charioteer is a four-armed god Krishna, the incarnation of Vishnu.

Another fundamental epic reflected in the walls of Angkor Wat, is the Ramayana epic poem. The Ramayana celebrates Rama, an earthly incarnation of Vishnu.

Angkor watt wall bas reliefs angkor wat history angkor cambodia siem reap cambodia backpacking tips asia
Bas reliefs

In the east gallery of the south section is the representation of Churning of the Ocean of Milk. The lower register has carvings of the inhabitants of the ocean. In the middle register the gods and demons are arranged on either side if Vishnu, who is riding on the turtle Kurma.

The upper register depicts 'apsaras' born from the waves dancing in the air.

Angkor watt wall devata angkor wat history angkor cambodia siem reap cambodia backpacking tips asia
Angkor Wat History: Devata

Apsaras are supernatural women. Their goal is to entertain and they dance to the music of their husbands.

In the 16th century, Angkor Watt was known to Portugese and Spanish adventurers. Angkor was later visited by French missionaries like Charles-Emile Bouillevaux, who had stayed in Angkor Watt for two days in 1850.

While French naturalist Henri Mouhot published his material about Angkor in 1863-1864.

Angkor watt wall apsara angkor wat history angkor cambodia siem reap cambodia backpacking tips asia
More Apsaras

Fast forward to 1925: The Angkor Archaeological Park was founded in 1925. Angkor Watt was reproduced by the architects Charles and Gabriel Blanche, father and son, who spent six years to elaborate their work, and was decorated by the sculptor Auberlet.

In 1992, Angkor was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Restoration is carried out by the Cambodian government, and with the aid of foreign countries.

Are you visiting Angkor? Tired of the same, boring tours?

Why not try our selection of tailored tours

Return to top

You're done with Angkor Wat History, where do you want to go next?

Need a place to stay in Siem Reap? Look for guesthouses in Siem Reap here!

Go off the beaten track to Kampong Phluk! The stilted village! (Tours in Siem Reap 3)

Want do contribute in some way? Visit the Land Mine Museum in Angkor Park! (Landmines in Cambodia)

Get an interactive Cambodia Map and detailed bus information for Cambodia

Read about Cambodia History

Read about Cambodia Culture

Going south to the beaches of Sihanoukville Cambodia?

Visiting the capital of Cambodia -- Phnom Penh?

Return from Angkor Wat History to Backpacking Tips Asia Homepage.





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