Angkor temples

Black and White pictures by QT Luong

The Bayon, built one century after Angkor Wat, was dedicated from the beginning as a buddhist temple. Its 200 faces represent the Bodhisattva Avalokisesvara, thought by King Jayavarman VII to be his benefactor. While the bas-reliefs of Angkor are inspired by the Hindu mythology, some of those of the Bayon represent everyday life and historic events. Ta Promm, built by the same king, completes the Angkor experience by offering an impressive and nostalgic glimpse of the jungle taking repossesion of the site. The temple is mostly ruined, and has been left on purpose in the state where the explorer Henri Mouhot rediscovered it. Angkor is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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