BAYON - Angkor Thom in Siem Reap, Cambodia

This is the posting of the final part of Bayon - Angkor Thom - Siem Reap, Cambodia.

The best of Bayon are the bas-reliefs on the exterior walls of the lower level and on the upper level where the stone faces reside. The bas-reliefs on the southern wall contain real-life scenes from the historical sea battle between the Khmer and the Cham.





































It is not clear whether this represents the Cham invasion of 1177AD or a later battle in which the Khmer were victorious.

Even more interesting are extensive carvings of unique and revealing scenes of everyday life that are interspersed among the battle scenes, including market scenes, cockfighting, chess games and childbirth.

Also note the unfinished carvings on other walls, likely indicating the death of Jayavarman VII and the subsequent end of his building campaign. Some of the reliefs on the inner walls were carved at a later date under the Hindu King Jayavarman VIII.

The surrounding tall jungle makes Bayon a bit dark and flat. Currently there is extensive work being done on some of galleries.

As mentioned, Bayon is a must for your visit if you are in Siem Reap for only a short stay. Our visit to Bayon was memorable. Bayon is impressive.

Bayon - Angkor Thom in Seap Reap, Cambodia

Bayon - the giant stone faces of Bayon have become one of the most recognized images connected to classic Khmer art and architecture.

There are 37 standing towers, most but not all sporting four carved faces oriented toward the cardinal points.























Who the faces represent is a matter of debate but they may be Loksvara, Mahayana Buddhism's compassionate Bodhisattva, or perhaps a combination of Buddha and Jayavarman VII.

Bayon was the Jayavarman VII's state-temple and in many ways represents the pinnacle of his massive building campaign.

It appears to be and is to some degree, an architectural muddle, in part because it was ocnstructed ina somewhat piecemeal fashion for over a century.

Bayon - Angkor Thom - Siem Reap, Cambodia

This is a three-part postings of BAYON - Angkor Thom in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Bayon is a Buddhist temple constructed in late 12th century C.E. during the reign of Jayavarman VII.

If you have only time to see two temples in Siem Reap, Cambodia, then it has to be Angkor Wat and Bayon



















We visited this heritage site and came impressed. More to come on the Bayon, stayed tuned.

Angkor Thom - Phimeanakas in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Phimeanakas in Angkor Thom, a Hindu in the style of Kleang temple, was constructed in late 10th and early 11th century C.E. in the reign of Jayavarman V.










Impressive laterite and sandstone pyramid. The lack of surviving carvings leaves it srtistically uninteresting, but it is the tallest scalable temple in Angkor Thom, providing a nice view from the top.

The western staircase ( at the back) is the most easily ascended. Located inside the ancient Royal Palace compound, Phimeanakas served as the king's temple.

Legend has it that the golden tower crowned the temple and was inhabited by a serpent, which would transform into a woman. The kings of Angkor were required to make love with the serpent every night, lest disaster befall him or the kingdom.

Angkor Thom - Terrace of Elephants in Siem Reap, Cambodia

The Terrace of Elephants in Angkor Thom, a Buddhist mixed style temple was constructed in the 9th century C.E. during the reign of Yasovarman VII.



















Garudas & lion-headed figures



Leper King Terrace




The Terrace of the Elephants is an impressive, two and half-meter tall, 300meter long terrace wall adorned with carved elephants and garudas that spans the heart the heart of Angkor Thom in front of Baphuon, Phimeanakas and the Royal Palace area. The northern section of the wall displays some particularly fine sculpture including the five headed horse and scenes of warriors and dancers.

Constructed in part by Jayavarman VII and extended by his successor. The wall faces east so the best lighting for photography before noon.

The Terrace of the Lepeer King is at the north end of the Terrace of the Elephants.