[War or natural disaster might have weakened the Khmer Empire's ancient capital, but ultimately, it was the jungle that conquered this ninth- to fifteenth-century urban center. Today, the densely forested 150-square-mile Angkor Archaeological Park protects part of a vast cluster of ancient capitals, many of which remain buried. The park's most famous temple,
Angkor Wat, is the world's largest religious building. But the park's dozens of other ruins, including Bayon temple with its wall of 11,000 carved figures, offer quieter glimpses into the art and architecture of this culturally rich 600-year period ]-article "Ruins of the World"
Yes, i went there in 2004 and the sure scale of the temples there and their intricate carvings are mind blowing. Of course the highlight of the trip is The Angkor Wat, where stories of the past are woven and carved in stone all around the temple.
A must see,Kbal Spean, are the carvings in and along a mountain stream,(You have to climb the mountain,Phnom Kulen, first of course!) that is a sight!It is an easy climb of about 30minutes to the head waters of the Siam Reap River,Stung Siem Reap,which flows through the main Angkor Group and the town of Siem Reap to drain into the Tonle Sap.Images of gods are carved directly into the river bed along a 150 metre stretch that was discovered by Jean Boulbet in 1968. Among these are
Lingas arranged in rows and these gave its Sanskrit name, Sabsralinga, 'River of a Thousand
Lingas'.
Several carvings of Vishnu Reclining in the stream bed.Shiva and Brahma are also represented.Whether the carvings are dry or submerged depends on the water level and the season,and probably at their most impressive at the end of the rainy season,when the fast flowing waters courses around but does not completely submerge the majority.
Below are a few of the pictures i took during the trip. Next stop maybe the 'ruins' where i live?
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| Guarding a bridge |
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A King's Army of attendants
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| A King's Potrait @ Angkor Thom |
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Nature tries to claim back its territory,@ Ta Prohm
This temple was chosen to be left in its 'natural state' to show as an eg. of how most of Angkor looked on its discovery in the 19th century.The trees that have grown intertwined among the ruins are especially responsible for Ta Prohm's atmosphere. |
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| Surrounded by many rows of Lingas,a central quincunx of lingas set in a stylised yoni. |
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| Trees growing in and around the buildings,some are Silk Cotton trees and the smaller ones are the Strangler Fig. |
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| Corner carvings in Angkor |
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| The Colonial enclave in Seam Reap |
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| More carvings along stream bank showing a Reclining Vishnu in the stream bed |
