ANGKOR WAT, SIEM REAP (CAMBODIA) - We simply cannot believe that we have only been in Siem Reap a day having been able to visit two unforgettable temples, Angkor Thom and Ta Phrom. If it were not for the rain, we would have hiked or rode an elephant uphill to catch the famous sunset at Phnom Bakheng. Since the sunset was covered by gray colored clouds, we decided to skip that and just head back to our hotel for an early dinner. We needed all the rest that we can get most especially since our second day would have to start extra early for our sunrise tour of Angkor Wat. This is why it is also important to book a room in any of the nice hotels in Siem Reap like the Angkor Miracle Resort and Spa Siem Reap Hotel.

We woke up at 4:00 am so that we can be at Angkor Wat by 5:00 pm in time for the sunrise. We rode the tuk-tuk of Mr. Rith and we were accompanied again by Mr. Sambo. It was a very chilly and calm morning. The skies have already started to lighten in color.

After twenty minutes, Mr. Rith parked his tuk-tuk in front of Angkor Wat. My stomach felt as it was turned inside out. My partner and I could not contain our excitement. Then my partner said that we should hold hands as we enter Angkor Wat because that is something that we would surely not get to do everyday. So he enveloped my hand with his and we started to walk towards the entrance.

All the pictures that I have seen of Angkor Wat were nothing compared to the real thing. My mouth was practically wide open when I saw the majestic temple before me. From where we were standing then, only three towers were visible. The long pathway to the central temple was made of huge rough stones. The balustrades of the causeway are made in the form of huge naga serpents wherein their bodies are supported by square columns.

When we were in the middle of the pathway, several people have started to call our attention to invite us to go down about three or five steps down towards the left side of the road for a better view of the sunrise. We followed and saw a growing group of people already positioned and ready for what surely be a breathtaking view. Some tourists were eating their breakfast which was served to them in front of the lagoon by the food vendors who owned stalls only a few meters away from the temple.

True enough the view of the sunset on the left side was fantastic! But the sunset was just the perfect appetizer for our tour of Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat, which was built during the early 12th century during the reign of Suryavarman II, is considered the world’s largest religious monument
covering almost 200 hectares. Angkor Wat actually means the city [which became a] pagoda. It is also said that that aside from being the most splendid and most magnificent of all the Khmer temples, it is also a city on its own. Angkor Wat in totality is a representation of the entire Hindu universe wherein everything culminates in the five peaks of Mount Meru, the home of the gods.

It is so big that the temple, which can be found right smack at the center on a terrace, already measures nine hectares. The rest of the ground area is occupied by the royal palace and the city. The temple embodies two important characteristics of Khmer design namely concentric galleries and a pyramid.

A lot of symbolisms are embodied within this grand temple. To put it simply, Angkor Wat together with the enclosures, towers and moat represent the universe. To be very specific about it, each element represents an important purpose. The moat that surrounds the temple represents the mythological oceans that surround the earth. The sequence of concentric galleries represents the mountains that enclose Mount Meru. The different towers are the mountain peaks and the motion of having to go up the central shrine is a perfect simulation of how it is to climb a mountain.

We also marveled at the bas-reliefs. These are popular creations when it comes to Khmer art form. These bas-reliefs cover the outside walls of Angkor Wat’s third enclosure. There are different subject matters reflected on the carvings including some Ramayana and Mahabbarata epics, Battle
of Kurukshetra, the Judgment of Yaman and Heaven and Hell, and the Churning of the Sea Milk.

Visitors can visit Angkor Wat anytime but there are certain facets of the temple that are best viewed at certain times in a day. People who visit Siem Reap for the Angkor Temples go either very early in the morning for the sunrise or in the late afternoon just in time for the sunset. But whatever time you choose, it would be best to schedule more than one visit. With all the marvelous details including about six hundred meters of intricate bas-reliefs, monuments, and images, there would be tons of information and visual treats to absorb in just one time.

As for us, we could not get enough of Angkor Wat. There is something magical about the place that will draw you to it. It could be the history. It could be the people. It could be the rich culture that thrives with the temple’s grounds. One thing is for sure, we will find time to go back and visit Angkor Wat to experience its mystery once more hopefully very very soon!

Posted in Attractions, Cambodia

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 at 8:00 am and is filed under Attractions, Cambodia. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.