Angkor Wat
The largest Sri Maha Vishnu Temple in the world
Angkor Wat (Cambodia) is
not only the largest Hindu Temple, but also one of the wonders of the word. Yet,
unknown to many Hindus all around! An architectural marvel and a piece of world
heritage. Indians know more about Taj Mahal and almost nothing about this temple
at Angkor Wat. Religion apart, this beautiful temple and it's intricate
architectural wonder that signifies a symbol of Science and Mathematics in
ancient times. There might not have been any Civil Engineering at that time, but
even today the Engineers of Modern days, will have to bet their heads to
recreate smething like this. Likewise, there are many wonders which people do
not know about. We are lost in Eiffel Tower and things like Egyptian Pyramids,
but there are lot more of Indian marvels and structures, in other places - why,
even in China, Japan & Singapore also!
Angkor Wat (or Angkor
Vat) is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia, built for king Suryavarman II in the
early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. The largest and
best-preserved temple at Angkor, it is the only one to have remained a
significant religious centre- first Hindu, then Buddhist- since its foundation.
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 drawn by its architecture, its extensive
bas-reliefs and the numerous devatas adorning its walls
History
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 Lord Sri
Maha Vishnu,
it was built as the king's state temple and capital city, with the royal
palace located between the temple and the north gate, and the city filling the
remainder of the outer enclosure. In the 14th or 15th century the temple was
converted to Theravada Buddhist use, which continues to the present day.
Unusually among Angkor's temples, although Angkor Wat was somewhat neglected
after the 16th century and required considerable restoration in the 20th
century, it was never completely abandoned. Its moat also provided some
protection from encroachment by the jungle. During this period the temple was
known as Preah Pisnulok, after the posthumous title of
Suryavarman. The
temple's modern name 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.
Conservation
efforts at the temple continue, notably the German Apsara Conservation Project
(GACP), which endeavors to protect the devatas (or apsaras) and other
bas-reliefs which decorate the temple from damage. The organization's survey
found that around 20% of the devatas were in very poor condition, mainly
because of natural erosion and deterioration of the stone.
The following Pictures &
Photographs shows the main entrance to the Angkor Wat temple proper, seen from the eastern end of the Naga causeway;
outside walls of Angkor Wat, main entrance and
stretch of water; Angkor Wat, One of the rare surviving statues, the
statue of the god Vishnu with 8 arms. An 1866 photograph of Angkor
Wat by Emile Gsell.
These
images were sent to me by Sri Ranganathan, from Hyderabad. Since these images
surely represents the Hindu & Srivaishnava culture, I reproduce the same
for the readers to take a tour!
TRS
Iyengar
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