It’s not everyday that you get to “own” a temple. And an ancient one, at that. Often I escape to my world of make-believe, and this time, I kept telling myself that, yes, Bayon is my temple, since we share the same name, only mine is hyphenated. But that’s ok, because I also conveniently led myself to believe that the Khmer don’t really use hyphens much, so it doesn’t matter. It. Is. Mine. #DreamOn #feelinglang
Uh-oh, as I progress with my Siem Reap posts, they are getting even more image-heavy.
Just as a brief background:
Angkor Thom is one of the largest Khmer cities ever built, with a total land area of 9 sq km. It is supposed to be a microcosm or a miniature representation of the universe, and it is known for its face towers and causeways of the city gates.
We entered Angkor Thom via the South Gate. Awesome-Tuktuk-Driver Sarat dropped us off so we can walk the length of the causeway to the actual gate, where we found him on the other side, waiting to take us further to the center of the great city of Angkor Thom.
Both sides of the approach towards the South Gate, crossing the moat, is lined with statues, with each line carrying a giant naga (serpent). On the left are statues of gods, while on the right are statues of fierce demons, or asuras. Some of the statues are obviously restored, others are in their original states, and a few are…. headless.
The gate itself is a face-tower, both sides. Behind the gate are three-headed elephants with their trunks reaching down to lotus flowers.
On the side of the road, we stopped a bit to play with…. monkeys. Yes, monkeys. Aren’t they just…. *squishes*
And I got up close and personal with a teeny-tiny uber-adorable monkey!!! Look at him go~!
Finally we arrived at the center of the City. And there stood Bayon….
Prasat Bayon, or Bayon Temple, is the symbolic center of the universe and the empire. It is known for being the complex of face towers, and its narrative bas-reliefs on daily life and Khmer history.
Entering the temple through the East gallery will reveal lots of bas-reliefs on the wall. I wish I knew a bit about the history, but the carvings alone are awe-inspiring.
We then went up to the upper terrace, where you will be in danger of being overwhelmed by face towers. Because… they’re everywhere! If you have a poor sense of direction, you’d think you’ve already gone through this area, simply because of the face-towers being there everywhere you turn. And if you turn the other way, you’ll see walls with more bas-reliefs, apsaras and devatas. This is one giant masterpiece.
The entire place is a work of art. There is a sense of serenity in the air, even with several people about. Perhaps it has to do with the faces on the towers, which seem to look down on us with that regal air. Or maybe it’s that sense of history, of the love, thought, and effort that went into the creation of this temple. Magnificent, Bayon, you make me proud (LOL!). I’m still at it, it seems.
Next stop: still in Angkor Thom, we go to Baphuon, Phimeanakas, and a visit to Buddha.