Bayon Temple, Angkor, Cambodia
Sunday, October 21 2007 @ 08:11 PM | Contributed by: Oliver | Views: 577
 | The Bayon Temple is the centerpiece of numerous temples in the ancient captial Angkor Thom, and has two main points of attraction: Fabulous reliefs and the 200 faces of Lokesvara, 39 towers ornated with gigantic smiling faces. Many parts of the temple are destroyed, specially in the outer gallery, but the main features are preserved. |
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| One should climb up severa levels and see the towers, galeries, faces and reliefs close-up, since a bit of distance makes the stone blend into the surrounding structures and makes the whole thing look like a large pile of rubble. The reliefs depict various war-scenes and daily life in which the different parties are discernable by their different hair style. | ||
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| There are repeated patterns of dancers, trading, cooking, rooster fights to be found, all in different layers above and besides each other.. | ||
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| On some walls and pillars, the intricate carving that covers most of every available surface is still to be seen. Depending on the direction of the wall and exposure to wind and rain there are more or less detailed ornamental and guardian figures as well as larger surface pattern engraved into the sandstone. | ||
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| The overall structure is quite compact and the square architectural structure easily understood once one enters the temple. The inner levels rise up, but the small distance between the outer gallery and the inner, raised platform made people believe that it was not done according to initial design. In the outside of course the obligator Naga and protective lion statues can be found, unfortunately not much better preserved than in other places in Angkor. | ||
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| Finally, the towers with the heads are best to be seen from the top level. The different expressions on each face are quite obvious, but many faces point outwards and cannot be seen clearly. | ||
Please see also these articles about Angkor Temples:
Angkor Wat | Sunrise at Angkor Wat | Reliefs of Angkor Wat
Banteay Srei Temple | Preah Palilay Temple | Bayon Temple | Ta Phrom Temple
These are more articles from Cambodia:
Khmer Dance | Floating Village | Royal Palace | On the road | Hotel de la Paix
Angkor Wat | Sunrise at Angkor Wat | Reliefs of Angkor Wat
Banteay Srei Temple | Preah Palilay Temple | Bayon Temple | Ta Phrom Temple
These are more articles from Cambodia:
Khmer Dance | Floating Village | Royal Palace | On the road | Hotel de la Paix
