Angkor Wat is the
largest Hindu temple complex in the world. The temple was built
by King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yasodharapura
, the capital of the Khmer Empire, as his state temple and
eventual mausoleum. Breaking from the Shaivism tradition of
previous kings, Angkor Wat was instead dedicated to Vishnu. As
the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have
remained a significant religious centre since its foundation
– first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist.
The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer
architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on
its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for
visitors.
Angkor Wat combines two
basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain and
the later galleried temple, based on early Dravidian
Architecture, with key features such as the Jagati. It is
designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu
mythology: within a moat and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres long
are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At
the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers. Unlike most
Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west; scholars
are divided as to the significance of this. The temple is admired
for the grandeur and harmony of the architecture, its extensive
bas-reliefs, and for the numerous devatas adorning its walls.
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