Temples of Siem Reap -- Angkor Thom and the Bayon Temple
In the afternoon of our first full day in Siem Reap, finally we went to Angkor Thom (大吳哥). Angkor Thom itself was capital city of the Khmer empire, dating back to the 12th century, inside which you will find several important sites (see details below). It is here that you will see the most mysterious of all temples, the Bayon (巴戎寺). (Click on each image to see the high-resolution version)
We walked toward the Bayon Temple. Inside, a Buddha statue was put in place for worship (the Bayon is a Mahayana or "Great Vehicle" temple).
Buddha statue at Bayon Temple
Although, nominally, the Bayon is a Buddhist temple, it was augmented by Hinduism later, as evident from the many carvings in the temple.
Bayon Temple Carving
Bayon Temple Carving
Bayon Temple Carving
The most striking, and mysterious, feature of the Bayon is undoubtedly the many "face towers" wearing the indecipherable and indelible "Khmer smile". I think one can spend many an hour admiring these haunting features.
Bayon Temple
Bayon Temple
Bayon Temple
Bayon Temple
Bayon Temple
Bayon Temple
Bayon Temple
Bayon Temple
The bas-reliefs or carvings at the Bayon Temple are also very impressive.
Bayon Temple Carving
Bayon Temple Carving
Taken as a whole, the Bayon Temple is an impressive mass of temple mountain.
Bayon Temple
Bayon Temple
Bayon Temple
Bayon Temple
We were fortunate to see some Buddhist monks wearing saffron robes walking by the temple.
Bayon Temple
Bayon Temple
Bayon Temple
There is much more than the Bayon Temple at Angkor Thom. The pyramidal Phimeanakas or the celestial temple is another impressive building.
Phimeanakas
Phimeanakas
We climbed to the top of Phimeanakas in the setting sun.
Phimeanakas
Phimeanakas
Phimeanakas
And another one is the Terrace of the Elephants, but at this point our day was winding to an end and it was getting dark.
Elephants
Elephants
In the dusk we went to the South Gate of Angkor Thom, where a series of stone statues of guardian gods on either side of the bridge over the moat are depicted as holding a giant serpent (a famous Khmer myth).
Angkor Thom South Gate
Angkor Thom South Gate
We paid a visit to the South Gate on a different day during the daytime to get a better look at the gate and the stone statues.
Angkor Thom South Gate
Angkor Thom South Gate
Angkor Thom South Gate
Angkor Thom South Gate
