On Dec 23 2005, I was standing in awe of this temple and mausoleum that rises to the central lotus tower. This could be the largest and finest religious monument ever completed. It was at first a monument to the king, portrayed as divine, where he had communions with the gods. At death, the king's remains were placed in the central tower of Angkor to animate his image. Worship of the dead king ensued once his soul entered his stone image, thus permitting contact with the ancestors of the dynasty. Angkor Wat therefore should be seen as the preserve of the immortal sovereign merged with Vishnu, the Hindu god of passion and construction.
On Dec 23 2005, I was standing in awe of this temple and mausoleum that rises to the central lotus tower. This could be the largest and finest religious monument ever completed. It was at first a monument to the king, portrayed as divine, where he had communions with the gods. At death, the king's remains were placed in the central tower of Angkor to animate his image. Worship of the dead king ensued once his soul entered his stone image, thus permitting contact with the ancestors of the dynasty. Angkor Wat therefore should be seen as the preserve of the immortal sovereign merged with Vishnu, the Hindu god of passion and construction.
2 Comments:
The Glass Palace mentions Angkor Wat, yes. The ancient Angkor dynasty reached the golden period between the 9th and 13th century. The empire encompassed the modern-day Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and parts of Laos and Vietnam. The ancient Thai capital at Ayuthatya still preserves the ruins of Angkor architecture.
Cool pictures of the castles and reliefs. Looks like time stopped.
Post a Comment
<< Home