And apart from being a new, and according to some objective rating, a hard-to-get-country, it is also a UNESCO site...and it looks magnificent! The sender says that she had been there many times so far, but each time she goes, she feels amazed. No wonder...who wouldnt be at a site like this!
Angkor Wat is the main attraction of the Angkor complex whose hape is depicted on the Cambodian flag. It was built by king Suryavarman II (1113-1150) in the beginning of the 12th century, and its construction lasted 37 years. Angkor Wat (the name means 'The Pagoda of the City') was a funerary monument, which explains its orientation to the west in contrast to the sanctuaries dedicated to the deities, which are oriented to the east.
The temple was build according Brahman techniques to represent the entire universe. The central tower represents the sacred mount Sumeru, situated at the centre of the universe. The 5 towers make the symbolism consistent with the 5 peaks of mount Sumeru. The outer wall represents the end of the world and the surrounding moat represents the surrounding ocean.
If time permits, one should visit Angkor wat at least twice, once in the morning to admire the bas-reliefs when the light is bright and clear and once in the evening when the towers become increasingly golden as the sun sets at the horizon. Sometimes, in the twilight, bats leave the monument in large numbers, presenting the spectator with a spectacular view as if columns of smoke rise and are dispersed in the wind.
Thank You Zarah sooo much for this amazing contribution to my collection!!!