Angkor Wat, Cambodia, was built for King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century. The Vishnu temple was the state temple and capital city. Angkor Wat is the best preserved and the largest of the group of temples. By the thirteenth century, it came under Buddhist influence.

Angkor: its origin

Angkor comes from the Sanskrit word ‘nagar’ meaning city and ‘wat’ is Khmer for temple. The whole site covers an area of ninety-seven square kilometres. The Hindu temple is a huge pyramid structure surrounded by a moat. The balustrades leading to the main entrance are shaped as giant serpents.

Towering terraces and small buildings are arranged in diminishing stories and surmounted by five towers. The walls are covered with carved reliefs showing Hindu mythology, Ramayana and Mahabharat and the then daily life.

History and heritage

Angkor Wat combines the two basic Khmer temple architecture, the temple mountain and the galleries. It represents Mount Meru, Hindu mythology’s home for the gods. In the centre are five towers. Extensive bas-reliefs, many devetas (gods) adorning its walls combined with the classical style of Khmer architecture is Cambodia’s main tourist attraction as a World Heritage Site.

Backpackers on a bargain holiday or cheap holiday can catch a tuk-tuk to the site from Siem Reap.