The great temple ANGKOR

 

The Temples of Angkor feature a moat as their outermost boundary as water is symbolic of the Cosmic Sea, which is the source of creative energy and life for Hindus.

The decorations on the walls of the temple have a uniquely Hindu story telling characteristics. They have fables and myths pictures that tell of the temple’s origin in Hindu religion.

A series of enclosure walls then follow which symbolize the obstacles that need to be surpassed towards the path of enlightenment. Lastly are the towers which represent the residence of Hindu gods or a sacred intersection.

The Churning of the Ocean of Milk is one of the best episodes in Hindy mythology and appears in the Bhagavata Purana, the Mahabharata and the Vishnu Purana. The Ocean of Milk is churned by gods and demons in order to create the elixir of life, Amrta.

Building Angkor Wat was an enormous undertaking that involved quarrying, careful artistic work and lots of digging. To create the moat around the temple, 1.5 million cubic meters (53 million cubic feet) of sand and silt were moved, a task that would have required thousands of people working at one time.

Angkor Wat is built within Angkor which was once the capital of the Khmer Empire. In the past, the population within the city is said to have reached one million. That figure makes it the largest city in the world before the Industrial Revolution.

In recognition of the important part it played in both the Hinduism and Buddhism, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1992.

50% of international tourists visit Cambodia to see this religious monument. As if to show how proud they are of their heritage, the monument is featured on their national flag.