The magnificent
Hindu temples of Angkor Wat are the prime attractions on the shortlist of Cambodian
tourist sights. Situated in the North Western part of Cambodia, about two hundred km from
the border with Thailand, the temples are part of the ancient city of Angkor. The temples
of Angkor Wat comprise of a huge complex, sprawling over an area of about 81 hectares and
stand testament to the architectural achievements of the powerful Khmer empire. The main
features of the complex are the five towers of Angkor Wat- an image which appears in the
national flag of Cambodia.
Angkor Wat, and the temples which
make up the entire complex, are probably one of the most splendid examples of ancient
Hindu architecture- not just in Cambodia, not just in Asia, but in the whole world. The
bas-relief along the outer gallery walls of the temples depicts scenes from Hindu
mythology and is the longest continuous example of such work in the world.
Angkor Wat was at one time the gem
of the Ancient Khmer Empire; with the fall of the empire, the temple too fell into a state
of disrepair and came to light only centuries later, when an intrepid Frenchman stumbled
upon them. Today they are on the UNESCOs list of World Heritage Sites, a national
treasure for Cambodia and a definite crowd-puller. |