The ancient city Angkor in Cambodia has been attracting a lot of tourists from all over the world with its myriad mysterious and fascinating temple ruins discovery. Angkor is situated about 200 miles away from Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. This city is surrounded by the jungle and is filled with at least a thousand temples and temple ruins. One of the greatest, majestic and most amazing temple structures here is the Angkor Wat. This temple is remarkable even today, after thousands of years.

 

Angkor Wat features Lord Vishnu as its deity and is a Hindu temple. This temple is spread over a large area and is encompassed by a moat. Every surface at the Angkor Wat temple has elaborate carvings depicting interesting scenes from Khmer life, ancient battles and mythology.

 

The temple has five rounded towers which add to its grand profile. This temple was constructed by at least fifty thousand workers over a period of 37 years and is the largest religious building in the world. In fact, Angkor Wat is known as the mother of all temples.

 

There are many other temples at Angkor that must not be missed by visitors including the Angkor Thom and the Bayon. Bayon is the centre of Angkor Thom from where you can find 216 huge heads looking down from all around. Angkor Thom was the capital of Angkor’s greatest King Jayavarman VII. The best time to see the effect produced by the faces looking down at you is just before sunset.

 

Preah Khan is a temple with myriad carvings over unending complex of corridors. The numerous corridors in this two-storied building were constructed to provide heat from the sun. Entrance to this wonderful temple is from the East and midday is the best time to visit this architectural marvel.

 

Ta Prohm is a unique temple that is being strangled by the roots of the tree around it. Efforts to preserve this temple have been in vain and it stands as it was discovered in the year 1860. Another interesting temple situated about 32 km from Angkor is the Banteay Srei. This temple which means fortress of women is pink in colour and features some of the most fascinating and intricate carvings in Cambodia.

 

Baksei Chamkrong is a step pyramid twelve meter tall. This temple was constructed by Harshavarman I in the early 10th century. A golden Shiva image was installed here in 947 AD by Rajendravarman II who improved and restored the temple.

 

Phimeanakas is an impressive pyramid temple made of sandstone and laterite. Not many carvings have survived here but this is the tallest temple in Angkor Thom. Visitors scale this tall temple to reach the top and enjoy an impressive view. Phimeanakas was the temple of the Kings and is located inside the compound of the Royal Palace.


There are many other temples and temple ruins in and around Angkor with a mysterious and fascinating history. All these temples feature intricate and beautiful carvings and are architectural marvels.

 

© 2009 Abiyoyo SL