Pre-dawn we were getting comfortable on our rock seats to catch the sunrise come up over a mighty, religious complex that is considered to be the crowning achievement in Khmer art and architecture- Angkor Wat. The temple’s balance, composition, and beauty make it one of the finest monuments in the world.

The temple complex occupies a rectangle 1.5km (0.9m) by 1.3km (0.8m), although the central sandstone massif occupies just 5% of that area. Angkor Wat is an imposing mountain temple, a symbolization of Mount Meru, the home of the Hindu gods surrounded by moats representing the cosmic ocean.

Unusual for an Angkor era temple, Angkor Wat faces to the west into the setting sun, rather than the east. Why Angkor Wat was oriented to the west continues to be debated but could be determined by the temple’s dedication to Vishnu, preserver of the universe, who is sometimes associated with the west in Brahmanic tradition. The unusual orientation may also be linked to the motivation for building the temple. It was possibly designed as a tomb for King Suryavarman II, the sponsor, whose death would be symbolized by the daily setting of the sun. His posthumous name, Paramavishnuloka, is recorded on one of the bas-reliefs indicating that ornamentation work continued after his death.

Most commonly the temple is approached from the road to the west. Climb the steps of the cruciform naga terrace onto the causeway crossing the 90m (620ft) wide moat.  You will come to the large western gateway with five doors that completely obstruct the temple within. The walls of this gateway feature some of the finest and best-preserved carvings at Angkor Wat, including more than 250 devatas.

Beginning of the terrace at the western entrance to cross the moat.

Large moat surrounding the temple.

Actual remaining bullet holes.

To the north and south are the libraries. Between these and the main temple are two basins, perfectly placed to capture the reflections of the towers.

Front view of Angkor Wat from inside.

Side view of Angkor Wat passed the basin.

The eastern gallery, associated with the life-giving morning sun, depicts the Brahmanic epic, “The Churning of the Ocean of Milk” in which gods and demons combine for 1,000 years to churn cosmic ocean and produce the heavenly nectar (amrita) that will give immortality. This is the most famous scene at Angkor Wat.

Depiction of “The Churning of the Ocean of Milk.”

A good opportunity to examine the corbelling technique used by the Khmers for creating vaulted ceilings.

Super steep uphill climb!

There are time restraints for visitors to climb and look at the top. We didn’t go.

Another library inside the temple grounds.

Random image that I liked.

The direction of the setting sun in the west is commonly associated with the end of life in the Hindu tradition, so perhaps it’s appropriate that the western gallery of Angkor Wat is covered with violent depictions of epic battles.

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