Ta Prohm

Built in 1186 as a Buddhist monastery dedicated to the mother of Jayavarman VII. This temple offers  a unique sight  and certainly the most eerie of all Angkor temples

 

 

Tree roots covering the walls and roofs of the temple

Ta Keo

We did not go in as it will be a  another steep climb to the top.

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Angkor Wat: The Central Temple

The central temple is surrounded by another wall. In the middle is the Central Sanctuary which consists of a five towered temple shaped like a lotus bud  representing Mount Meru.  

Gallery of bas-reliefs

A steep climb to the top of the Central Sanctuary

 

 

Apsaras

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Angkor Wat: The Avenue

Upon entering the West Gate, an avenue will lead you to the central temple passing two libraries and two pools

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Angkor Wat: The Outer Walls

The temple is surrounded by an outer wall measuring 1025m x 800m. There is a gate on each side of the wall but the main entrance is facing west. West is symbollically the direction of death. This has led to the conclusion that Angkor Wat must have existed primarily as a tomb. This is further supported by the fact that the bas-reliefs of the temple were designed to be viewed in an anticlockwise direction, a practise of the ancient  Hindu funerary rites   It is now commonly accepted that Angkor Wat most likely served both  as a temple and a mausoleum for Suryavarman II

 

The Outer Wall

A statue of Vishnu

 

Apsara

 

Lunch

It was so warm in Siem Reap. After lunch, we went back to the hotel to shower before visiting Angkor Wat

Terrace of the Leper King

Legend has it that at least two of the Angkor kings had leprosy but a more likely explanation is that it housed the royal crematorium.