Angkor Wat: The Enduring Pride of the Khmer Empire

The great warrior of Angkor, Suryavarman II, leapt atop the elephant carrying the rival king, who happened to also be his uncle. At that moment, he killed the king and seized the throne for himself. During his rule in the 12th century, Suryavarman II reunited the Khmer Empire of Cambodia. He also created one of the most powerful governments in all of Southeast Asia. However, his supreme legacy was the magnificent architecture he left behind. One temple in particular, Angkor Wat, is breathtaking. Although the region already had hundreds of beautiful temples strewn throughout its dense jungles, King Suryavarman II had outdone all that had come before him and all that would follow. His temple was the largest and most resplendent religious monument ever constructed in the history of the world.

Most temples that came before Angkor Wat were dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, however, this temple was different. Suryavarman II dedicated his masterpiece to Vishnu and faced it west (the direction associated with Vishnu), instead of east. The skilled architects designed the temple and grounds to represent the universe, including the ocean and a mountain temple to house the Hindu gods.

Additionally, it lay in a most auspicious location at the center of the capital city of the Khmer Empire. The temple served as a testament to the wealth and power of Suryavarman’s vast kingdom. It is by far one of the most stunning examples of artistic architecture and a statement of lasting religious devotion. This is the only temple in Angkor that worshippers have consistently utilized since its construction. It has never fallen into disuse. However, Angkor Wat is just one temple in the Siem Reap province of Cambodia, which is home to the Angkor