Angkor Wat (1113 to present)

An Angkor Wat (1113 to present) is a temple complex in Siem Reap Province, Cambodia.

• AKA: អង្គរវត្ត.
• Context:
  • It can serve as a Religious Temple Complex combining hindu temple architecture and buddhist temple architecture.
  • It can function as a Pilgrimage Site for buddhist pilgrims from Cambodia and worldwide locations.
  • It can represent Mount Meru through its architectural design with temple-mountain structure and galleried temple layout.
  • It can display Khmer Architecture at its high classical style peak.
  • ...
  • It can feature Stone Construction with sandstone blocks and laterite foundations.
  • It can incorporate Bas-Relief Galleryes depicting hindu mythology, historical events, and khmer daily life.
  • It can utilize Hydraulic Engineering through its moat system spanning over 5 kilometers.
  • It can demonstrate Westward Orientation unlike most angkorian temples.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Hindu Temple Complex to being a Buddhist Temple Complex, depending on its religious dedication period.
  • It can range from being a State Temple to being a Tourist Attraction, depending on its historical era.
  • ...
  • It can have Quincunx Tower Arrangement with central spire reaching 65 meters in height.
  • It can contain Three Rectangular Galleryes with progressive elevations.
  • It can be surrounded by Outer Wall measuring 3.6 kilometers in perimeter.
  • It can integrate Devata Statues and buddha statues throughout its wall decorations.
  • It can have Angkor Wat Architectural Components of Angkor Wat, such as:
    • Central Temple Complex with five towers in quincunx pattern.
    • Gallery of Bas-Reliefs depicting churning of the ocean of milk.
    • Western Causeway providing main entrance access.
    • Moat System creating protective water barrier.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Angkor Wat (1113-1150), during Suryavarman II's construction period.
  • Angkor Wat (Late 12th Century), during hindu-to-buddhist conversion.
  • Angkor Wat (16th Century), during theravada buddhist adoption.
  • Angkor Wat (1860s), during henri mouhot's western rediscovery.
  • Angkor Wat (1992-present), as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Angkor Thom, which is a city complex rather than a single temple complex.
  • Bayon Temple, which features face towers rather than traditional spires.
  • Borobudur, which is a buddhist monument without hindu temple origins.
  • Prambanan, which remains a hindu temple without buddhist conversion.
• See: Siem Reap, Suryavarman II, Khmer Empire, Khmer Architecture, Temple Mountain, Hindu Temple, Buddhist Temple, World Heritage Site, Yaśodharapura, Vishnu Temple.

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References

2022

• (Wikipedia, 2022) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor_Wat Retrieved:2022-1-9.
  • Angkor Wat (Template:Lang-km, Ângkôr Vôtt Template:IPA-km; lit. 'Temple City' or 'City of Temples'), located in northwest Cambodia, is the largest religious structure in the form of a temple complex in the world by land area (more than three times Vatican City's area), measuring Template:Convert. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of four towers surrounding a central spire that rises to a height of Template:Convert above the ground. The temple has three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. It lies within an outer wall Template:Convert long and a moat more than Template:Convert long.

    The temple was built at the behest of Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yaśodharapura (យសោធរបុរៈ, present-day Angkor), the capital of the Khmer Empire, as the state temple for the empire. Originally constructed dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu in the early 12th century, it was converted to a Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century.

    Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple-mountain and the later galleried temple. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west. Scholars are divided as to the significance of this. The temple is admired for the grandeur and harmony of its architecture, extensive bas-reliefs, and statues of Buddhas and Devas that adorn its walls.

    As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists in Cambodia and around the world. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's main tourist attraction. Angkor Wat played a major role in converting Cambodia into a Buddhist nation. "Angkor Wat". http://www.apsaraauthority.gov.kh/?page=detail&menu1=218&menu2=745&menu3=746&ctype=article&id=746&lg=en. Retrieved 7 February 2021. </ref>

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