Angkor Wat

 

 

Arrival is by quiet forest road. Suddenly on the right is this giant temple complex...

 

 

 

 

The Angkor Wat is surrounded by a moat 190 meters wide and forming a rectangle 1.5 kilometers by 1.3 kilometers which comprises the temple grounds.

 

 

 

 

This is the gatehouse and the rectangular building which encloses the temple grounds inside the moat.

 

 

 

 

Front of gatehouse entry at the end of the causway across the moat.

 

 

 

 

Inside the gatehouse is this statue of Vishnu with eight arms

 

 

 

 

Looking from the back of the gatehouse building towards the temple. Still a long walk to go.

 

 

 

 

Approaching the main temple entrance on the promonade from the gatehouse. This promonade is 475 meters long and nearly 10 meters wide.

 

 

 

 

Inside the Temple entry building.

 

 

 

 

On either side of the entry area the building wings house an amazing series of murals carved into a black stone. These murals strech over 800 meters in length.

 

 

 

 

Amazing murals that tell many stories of everything from battles to religous history.

 

 

 

 

Inside the inner courtyard looking from the main temple building.

 

 

 

 

One of the main marvels of this part of the world are the dancers carved in stone. None are more preserved than here at Angkor Wat. The next series of photos show the details of these dancers or "apsaras".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the most unique dancer of all. She is the only smiling dancer ever found in all of the temples.

 

 

 

 

Worth a second look. She must have been very special!!

 

 

 

 

Leaving the main temple late afternoon after a long day. This is the view towards the entry gate.

 

 

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