Angkor Wat Architecture

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Angkor Wat Architecture Angkor Wat is the largest ancient temple in southwest Cambodia that was constructed by King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as a religious center. It was made out of enormous amounts of sandstone, as much as Khafre's pyramid in Egypt (over 5 million tons) and It was made soon after King Suryavarman II came to the throne and was finished shortly after his death, no more than 40 years. Angkor Wat lies 5.5 km north of the modern town of Siem Riep, and a short distance south from the previous capital centered on Baphuon. It was a state temple and capital city for the community on that time, first as a Hindu establishment and eventually becoming a Buddhist temple. Angkor Wat has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors. From the distance, the architecture of Angkor Wat seems like a colossal mass of stones, but actually from close up, it is a temple with classical style of Khmer architecture that is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the gods in Hindu mythology. The central structure of this temple symbolises the mountain, and the walls and moat symbolises the surrounding mountain ranges and ocean. The central structure of the temple stands a quincunx of towers , while the moat and an outer wall has 3.6 kilometres long surrounded it, with three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. This temple height from the ground to the top of the central tower is greater than it might appear: 213 meters, achieved with three rectangular or square levels. Each one is progressively smaller and higher than the one below starting from the outer limits of the temple. Angkor Wat has also series of elevated towers, covered galleries, chambers, porches, courtyards on different levels linked by stairways, and many decoration such as its extensive bas-reliefs

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