One of the greatest empires in the history of humankind developed a millennium ago in Cambodia. Inspired by a series of Hindu and Buddhist kings, the Khmer people devoted much of their energies to expressing their spiritual aspirations in the physical creation of majestic temple complexes-all carved magnificently in stone. Later the empire collapsed, and the capital moved to Phnom Penh.

Over the subsequent centuries, the great temples of the Angkor civilization became literally lost in time. Completely overtaken by the jungle, these architectural manifestations of the human spirit were, in fact, naturally preserved by a symbiotic blanket of flora and forest. Once again the earth became one with the stone which had earlier been consecrated by the hand of artisans, artists, and priests.

The Khmer or Angkor Civilization came into existence during the period from 802 to 1431 A.D. and stretched as far as the modern Thailand-Burma Border in the West and Wat Phou of Laos in the North during its peak. Its emergence lies in the fact that the ancient Khmer rulers adopted a right political doctrine of its time, which enforce the unity among people. Moreover, they had developed an intelligent irrigation system to control the water of the great Mekong River for agricultures, which enhanced its prosperity. The Khmer Civilization had long been perished over 5 centuries ago, but it left outstanding monuments such as the great Khmer temples of Angkor Wat and Bayon and numerous unique sculptures like Apsara.

The word “Angkor” is derived Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language, of “Nagara” which means “City”. Angkor Wat literally means “City of Temple” and Angkor Thom “The Magnificent City”. No doubts, the ancient Khmers were great masters of stone carving. As we can see today the unarguable evidences of various Angkor temples lying on the vast plain of Siemreap, or even beyond its present-day border to the Preah Vihear at Dangrek Mountain, Phnomrung and Phimai in Thailand and Wat Phu in Laos. All these were created and carefully crafts by the ancient Khmers in successive centuries. Angkor City was the capital of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to the 15th century. In 1431 (recent research put it at 1444) the Siamese captured and sacked Angkor.

Interestingly, we learn about the daily way of life of the ancient Khmers, not from the Khmer themselves, but from the Chinese annals. In the middle of 13th century during Chinese Yuan Dynasty, a Chinese ambassador named Zhou Daguan traveled to Angkor, stayed with the local villagers, and explored this empire for a year before his return. He wrote in his Chinese chronicle about this amazing empire, and explain vividly how the people lives with the clear portrayal of the Khmer society during those days.

The center of the Khmer Civilization is at the Angkor Wat area which is situated on the plain of present-day Siemreap province north of the Great Lake of Tonle Sap. Throughout the course of Khmer history, the kingship was frequently attained by violent means with bloodshed throne. There were successive capitals built by different kings in the region, not far from each others; these capitals are at area of Angkor Wat and Roluos with the different names such as Harihalara, Yasodharapura, Jayendanagari, Angkor Thom and a few unknown names.

Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and several other Khmer temples are undoubtedly the relics of the past Khmer Civilization. In order to help travelers as well as readers to get a clearer picture of Cambodia and these temple complexes, we have put up several articles on Khmer Civilization which covers the historical background, successive eras from the beginning till the end, reasons of rise and fall of this civilization and a chronology.

Temples were destroyed and its inhabitants were driven to the south. From then on Angkor was abandoned and Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom were left to ruin. It was not until 22nd January 1860, that a French scholar discovered the past glory of Angkor. He read about Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom in a book titled cial envoy named Chou Ta-Kuan. At the time of the discovery, there were more than 600 tall temples and other structures at Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat was built in the 12th century by King Suryarman ll. who reigned from approximately 1113-1150. The purpose of the Angkor Wat was for the king to worship and pray for the protection of his people and kingdom. The temple complex was dedicated to Vishnu, the Hindu Sun God. The whole complex occupies an area of 1,950,000 square meters. The numerous temples found there were built with granite and sandstone. Not a single metal bar was used. The rocks used for building came from a place called Plon Klon Mountain, 40 km away.

About 3.3 km away from Angkor Wat at a place named Bayon, is another equally magnificent temple complex called Angkor Thom. It was built about 1200 by King Jayavarman VII. Angkor Thom is bigger in area and size than Angkor Wat. It has within its boundary, 54 big and small pagodas.

There are a total of 216 smiling faces at the site, all them resembling King Jayavarman VII. The entire area could accommodate up to one million people during its heyday.Both Angkor and Angkor Thom are situated at an archaeological site called Angkor.

After suffering years of war and holocaust in recent decades, hundreds of these Angkor era temples are now being reclaimed and reconsecrated by the Buddhists of today’s reincarnate Cambodia. Truly one of the spiritual-as well as material-wonders of the world, the amazing complexes of the Angkor civilization lend themselves well as places for reflection and contemplation. Wandering amongst the angels, deities, Buddhas, and Bodhisatvas, the stone sculptures still emanate a spirit that continues to grace the centuries. The lovely Cambodian jungle setting also helps to root the pilgrim into the consciousness and unity of nature and spirit.

Tag: Angkor Wat