Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia

ANGKOR WAT is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. It is a massive three-tiered pyramid crowned by five lotus-like towers rising 65 meters from ground level.

Angkor Wat is the center piece of any visit to the temples of Angkor.

We have the opportunity to visit this heritage building during our visit to Siem Reap recently in the evening and admired it during sunset.

































At the apex of Khmer political and military dominance in the region, Suryavarman II constructed Angkor Wat in the form of a massive 'temple-mountain' dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu.

It served as his state temple, though the temple's uncommon westward orientation has led some to suggest that it was constructed as Suryavarman II's funerary temple.

Other temple of the same style and period include Thommanon, Banteay Samre, Wat Atwea and Beng Melea, which may have served a prototype to Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat is surrounded by a moat and an exterior wall measuring 1300 meters x 1500 meters.

We are really impressed by the huge heritage jewel, Angkor Wat. (To be continued).