Angkor Watt Temple the largest Hindu temple in the world is surprisingly not in India, but it is in Angkor, Cambodia. UNESCO World Heritage site Angkor Watt Temple is an iconic temple complex in Cambodia’s northern region. It is considered one of Southeast Asia’s most impressive religious and archaeological sites and attracts millions of yearly visitors.

Built in the 12th century by the Khmer King Suryavarman II, the temple complex was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu but was later converted into a Buddhist temple in the 14th century.

Nokor Wat, an alternate spelling of the modern name Angkor Wat, translates to “City of Temples” or “Temple City” in Khmer. Angkor is a localized version of the word nokor, which derives from the Sanskrit/Pali word nagara, which means “city” or “capital city.” The term “Wat” means “temple grounds” and “enclosure” in Sanskrit/Pali.

Vrah Viuloka, or Parama Viuloka, which means “the sacred dwelling of Vishnu,” was the temple’s original name.

Location: Cambodia

The temple complex covers an area of 162.6 hectares and is surrounded by a moat, with the main temple built in the shape of a pyramid and rising to a height of 65 meters.

The temple is built on three levels and contains several structures and courtyards, each adorned with intricate carvings and artwork.

Angkor Wat is an important religious site and a remarkable example of the Khmer Empire’s architectural and engineering prowess.

The temple complex was constructed using sandstone blocks quarried from nearby mountains and transported to the site via canals and rivers.

Over the centuries, Angkor Wat suffered damage from natural disasters and human conflicts. However, in the 20th century, significant restoration and preservation efforts were undertaken to protect the temple from further damage.

The most recent restoration efforts were completed in 2011 and focused on preserving the temple’s intricate carvings and artwork.

Today, Angkor Wat is a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors yearly. In addition to the temple complex, visitors can also explore the surrounding area, which includes several other temple complexes and historic sites.

Guided tours of the complex and other activities, such as hot air balloon rides and bike tours of the surrounding countryside, are available.

Overall, Angkor Wat is a remarkable testament to the Khmer Empire’s cultural and artistic achievements and its mastery of engineering and architecture. It is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history, religion, or architecture.

Angkor Wat was built as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu, considered one of the three major deities in Hinduism.

The temple’s central tower represents Mount Meru, the mythical home of the gods in Hindu cosmology. It is surrounded by four smaller towers representing the surrounding mountains’ peaks.

The main deity depicted at Angkor Wat is Vishnu, often portrayed in Hindu mythology as the preserver of the universe.

The temple’s walls are adorned with intricate carvings and bas-reliefs that depict scenes from Hindu mythology, including stories of Vishnu and his various avatars, such as Rama and Krishna.

During the 13th century, Angkor Wat was transformed into a Buddhist temple, and today it is still revered as a sacred site by both Hindus and Buddhists.

The temple continues to attract visitors from around the world who come to marvel at its stunning architecture, intricate artwork, and spiritual significance.

History of Angkor Watt Temple

The current town of Siem Reap is located 5.5 kilometers (3+1⁄2 mi) to the north of Angkor Wat, which is also close to the former capital, Baphuon, which was found to the south and slightly to the east.

It’s the southernmost of Angkor’s main sites, with many ancient buildings in Cambodia.

Angkor Wat was built over 28 years between 1122 and 1150 CE under the rule of King Suryavarman II (reigned 1113–c. 1150).

Suryavarman II was persuaded to build the temple by a Brahmin named Divkarapaita (1040–c. 1120). Hinduism is the source of all of the original religious symbols at Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat was devoted to Vishnu rather than the Shaiva religion of earlier kings, breaking with tradition.

It was constructed to serve as the king’s state temple and capital. It is unknown what the temple’s original name was, but it may have been “Varah Vishnu-lok” after the presiding deity.

However, neither the temple’s foundation stela nor any contemporary inscriptions mentioning it have been discovered.

Work appears to have stopped soon after the king’s passing, leaving some of the bas-relief decoration incomplete.

The phrase “The king who has gone to the supreme world of Vishnu” (Vrah Viuloka or Parama Viuloka), which refers to Suryavarman II posthumously and is meant to honor his memory, literally means “The king who has gone to the supreme world of Vishnu.”

The traditional adversaries of the Khmer, the Chams, sacked Angkor in 1177, roughly 27 years after Suryavarman II’s demise.

A new king, Jayavarman VII, who believed that the Hindu gods had abandoned him, established a new capital and state temple (Angkor Thom and the Bayon, respectively), a few kilometers north, dedicated to Buddhism.

Subsequently, the empire was restored by Jayavarman VII. As a result, Angkor Wat also gradually underwent a Buddhist conversion, and Buddhist works of art replaced many Hindu sculptures.

 More than 5 million tons of sandstone blocks were estimated to be quarried from nearby mountains and transported to the site via canals and rivers.

It is believed that the temple complex was built by a workforce of more than 50,000 people.

The temple complex was originally known as “Varah Vishnu-lok” and was dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu.

The temple’s central tower was adorned with a statue of Vishnu, which was later replaced with a statue of Buddha when the temple was converted into a Buddhist temple in the 14th century.

The Khmer Empire ruled over much of Southeast Asia from the 9th to the 15th century and was known for its architectural and engineering prowess.

The construction of Angkor Wat is a remarkable testament to the Khmer Empire’s mastery of engineering and architecture.

The temple complex was built using a unique architectural style combining Hindu and Buddhist architectural elements.

Over the centuries, Angkor Wat suffered damage from natural disasters and human conflicts. In the 16th century, the temple complex was abandoned

when the Siamese (Thai) kingdom conquered the Khmer Empire. The temple complex was hidden in the jungle for centuries and largely forgotten.

In the 19th century, French explorers rediscovered the temple complex and began efforts to restore and preserve it. However, restoration efforts were halted during World War II and resumed in the 1960s.

In the late 20th century, Angkor Wat became a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of yearly visitors.

The temple complex was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 and is considered one of Southeast Asia’s most important religious and archaeological sites.

The Architecture of Angkor Watt Temple

The massive size and impressive symmetry characterize the architecture of Angkor Wat. It was built to represent Mount Meru, the home of the gods in Hindu mythology, and is surrounded by a moat representing the cosmic ocean.

The central temple complex comprises three rectangular galleries, each with a different elevation level, and a central tower at the highest point.

The galleries are decorated with intricate bas-reliefs depicting scenes from Hindu mythology, including the famous Churning of the Sea of Milk.

The central tower, known as the Angkor Wat Temple or the Temple of the Peak, is a towering structure that reaches a height of 65 meters and is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures.

The temple complex also includes numerous other structures, including libraries, pavilions, and smaller temples, all connected by a series of causeways and bridges.

The overall design of the complex reflects the Khmer belief in the importance of cosmic balance and harmony.

Radar from the American space shuttle Endeavour scanned the Angkor region in 1994. This and later remotely sensed images (from 1996) showed the existence of previously undiscovered hydrological and building structures.

With the help of this knowledge and additional archaeological research, it was hypothesized in the early twenty-first century that Angkor’s demise might have been caused by environmental degradation.

It is believed that deforestation and other excessive land use increased flooding and siltation, ultimately undermining the area’s crucial network of irrigation canals.

In addition to its impressive architecture, Angkor Wat is also known for its extensive collection of art and sculpture, including the iconic smiling faces of Bayon and the intricate carvings of Banteay Srei.

Together, the architecture and art of Angkor Wat represent a remarkable achievement of Khmer civilization and continue to inspire awe and wonder in visitors from around the world.

The significant contributions supporting the APSARA National Authority in this matter are: 

A bilateral partnership with the government of New Zealand, the Angkor Management Plan (AMP), and the Community Development Participation Project (CDPP).

To increase the income of the villagers living in the protected zones, the CDPP prepares the land use map with experimental participation from the communities, and the AMP assists the APSARA National Authority in reorganizing and strengthening the institutional aspects;

The Heritage Management Framework, a multilateral partnership with the governments of Australia and UNESCO, consists of a Tourism Management Plan and a Risk Map on Monuments and Natural Resources.

The management strategy’s preliminary analysis and planning work will consider the need to preserve the unique atmosphere of Angkor.

All choices must ensure that site visitors can access it physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

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The best time to reach Angkor Watt Cambodia

Angkor Wat is a popular tourist destination in Cambodia, and the best time to visit may depend on your personal preferences and travel plans.

Generally, the peak season for tourism in Cambodia and Angkor Wat is from November to March, when the weather is dry and cooler.

You can expect clear skies and comfortable temperatures during this time, making it an ideal time to explore the temples and surrounding areas.

However, if you prefer to avoid crowds and don’t mind a bit of rain, the low season from May to October might be a good option.

During this time, the weather is hot and humid, but there are fewer visitors, and you can enjoy a more peaceful and serene experience of the temples.

It’s also worth noting that certain times of the year, such as major holidays and festivals, may be busier and more crowded than usual.

Therefore, checking the local events calendar and planning your visit is always a good idea.

Ultimately, the best time to visit Angkor Wat will depend on your preferences, travel plans, and the type of experience you seek.

How to reach

Angkor Wat is located in the town of Siem Reap, Cambodia, which is approximately 5.5 kilometers north of the temple complex. Here are some ways to reach Angkor Wat:

By Air: The Siem Reap International Airport is the closest airport to Angkor Wat, and it receives direct flights from several major cities in Asia, including Bangkok, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur.

By Bus: Siem Reap is well connected to other parts of Cambodia and neighboring countries by bus. Several bus companies operate daily services to and from Siem Reap, including Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.

By Tuk-Tuk: Tuk-tuks are a popular and affordable mode of transportation in Siem Reap, and many drivers offer tours of Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples.

Once you arrive in Siem Reap, you can purchase a temple pass that grants you access to the various temples in the Angkor Archaeological Park, including Angkor Wat.

You can explore the temples on your own or hire a licensed guide to provide more information and context about the history and significance of these remarkable structures.

Tourism

Angkor Wat has grown in popularity as a tourist destination since the 1990s. Only 7,650 people visited the site in 1993; by 2004, according to government statistics, 561,000 foreign visitors—or roughly 50% of all foreign tourists in Cambodia—arrived in Siem Reap province.

In 2007, there were more than a million; by 2012, there were more than two million. Most frequented Angkor Wat, which saw 2.6 million foreign visitors in 2018 and more than two million in 2013.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Angkor Watt temple in Cambodia is a magnificent temple built in the 12th century as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu.

It is now considered one of Southeast Asia’s most important archaeological sites and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Visitors to Angkor Wat can marvel at its stunning architecture, intricate carvings, and spiritual significance.

Moreover, the Angkor Watt Temple Archaeological Park, of which Angkor Wat is a part, features several other impressive temples and monuments, each with a unique history and cultural significance.

From the massive walled city of Angkor Thom to the overgrown and mysterious Ta Prohm, this ancient complex has no shortage of wonders to explore.

Finally, Cambodia has a rich cultural heritage; several festivals and celebrations are observed yearly.

These festivals provide a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the country’s vibrant culture and traditions and to connect with the people who call this land home.