The Angkor Wat is a Cambodian temple complex that forms the largest religious monument in the world.
Covering an area of around 162 hectares, it was built in the early 12th century by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in Yasodharapura, the capital of the Khmer Empire.
Originally, the complex was a Hindu temple dedicated to God Vishnu, but it gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the century. The temple is now a symbol of Cambodia.
Literally, ‘Angkor Wat’ means the ‘city of temples’ in Khmer language. The most striking feature of the temple is its architecture. It serves as the best example of the Khmer classical style. The work is a representation of Mount Meru, the home of the gods. The central structure symbolizes the five peaks of the mountain, and the walls symbolize the surrounding ranges and oceans. The interiors of the temple are decorated in a grand manner depicting scenes and episodes from Hindu epics.
