Angkor Wat’s Past Is Your Future Dream
For many, hearing the name Angkor Wat will bring the attention immediately to ancient, grand Buddhist temples. But there is more to Angkor Wat than just temples. History was written here. Stones were set in movement to the Universe’s spirit. Kings rules realms which were godly. Priests have prayed first to the Hindu gods and goddesses. Later, monks have chanted in unision to Buddha’s praise. If you find magic hard to believe, you will be defeated here. These ancient carvings give out a universal vibration that has real substance. There are rumours abound, that many who come to visit the temples have a hard time leaving Siem Reap. Will you be one of those ones?
A King Who Sought Immortality and Found It
In the 12th century, King Suryavarman II wanted to build a state temple honouring the God Vishnu at a time when Shiva, the Supreme Ruler was revered in the Hindu traditions. Angkot Wat became almost a living, breathing monument throughout Cambodian history, keeping to its spiritual traditions as a place of worship even after the advent of Buddhism. Located at the UNESCO sanctioned area called Angkor Archeological Park, this temple amongst many thousands in the country, is one of the best preserved. A testimony to Khmer classical architecture, Angkor Wat’s silhouette can be seen plainly on the Cambodian flag. As of today, it is safe to say that King Suryavarman has indeed found his immortality through the temple he built, which became his mausoleum eventually.
An Ancient Feast Set For New Eyes
“Angkor Wat” means “Temple City” in its modern reincarnation. “Angkor” means capital city and as a city, it has served many who lived in its compounds. It was not just a temple and a place of worship. It was a place of dwelling under the king’s watchful eyes. Designed to represent Mount Meru, a mythical abode of the Hindu Gods it combines two basic Khmer architectural styles. One is of the “temple mountain” the reference to Mount Meru and the other, added later on is the galleried temple based on early Dravidian Architecture from South India. This magnificent temple city is surrounded by a well irrigated moat, where everyday live takes place even to this day. The water surrounding it has a symbiotic life with the subjects who live around the temple area. This was made on purpose and this culture has flowed into the present Khmer people.
As Far As the Eyes Could See Into the Past
In case you have not heard of “bas reliefs”, you will be seeing and learning about this much at the Angkor Wat temples. In French, it means a “low relief”, a kind of sculpture where shapes are carved to be raised slightly higher than they background. Throughout the walls of Angkor Wat’s galleries, these carvings are much pronounced. Large scale scenes from epic stories from the Hindu Ramayana and Mahabaratha are played out here for centuries. Hinduisms famous battles such as the Battle of Lanka and the Battle of Kurushetra are depicted here in a long linear arrangements on the walls.
Heavenly dancing angels called Apsaras will dance you into the bas relief galleries. Devatas sit in meditation throughout the buildings giving you a sense of the uncanny. Many Buddha statues are scattered out throughout no matter which gangway you take. Certain dominating idols are still revered and worshipped everyday but the locals and foreigners alike.
Even the thirty two hells and thirty seven heavens of the Hindu mythology is presented. One of the most celebrated of these, is the presentation of Churning of the Sea of Milk. A small misunderstand had caused the “devas” to lose their immortality and to get it back, they had to use the divine serpent Vasuki as a rope to churn the ocean of milk to get to a godly nectar. Even with the help of Lord Vishnu, this was an impossible feat which was only achieve. Fortunately, by making peace with the “asuras”, this was possible although it led to other discords and magical parables in the end…..
As If Though Gods Planned It
There are structures in the world which looks like they are literally impossible to have been made by the mere hands of humans. This is so with Angkor Wat. If you stood in front of the main entrance facing the stone walkway across the moat, your heart will realize that no man had built this. It was the divine blueprint from the gods. Angkor Wat, built in two parts with an outer enclosure wall protecting the central structure, feeds the imagination. Gopuras set at cardinal points flank galleries between the towers. Serpentine balustrades welcome you from every side of this square shaped architectural marvel. No matter from which entrance your feet takes you into Angkor Wat’s spiritual embrace, its monumental magnificence will not fail to bring you to your knees.
Let Navutu Dreams Help You Find Cambodia’s Most Divine
Now that you have heard the unique story of Angkor Wat, we would like to welcome you to join us in finding Angkor’s past with us. Stay with us, sleep with us, eat with us and journey with us. Let’s plan your journey together to find the spirit of Angkor Wat. Go with our specialist tuk tuk drivers in style on an ancient path trodden on by ancient kings. Experience the cool breeze of the minor jungle surrounding Angkor with this enjoyable local way of travelling. Your experience will be your own as you will be privately driven to and from our resort. Please don’t forget to bring your own magic to be dispersed and absorbed within these great, ancient walls. Soum Swa-Khom!
