Transcript The Temples of ANGKOR WAT

The Temples of
ANGKOR WAT
Siem Reap - Cambodia
The Flag
• In varying forms , the Kingdom of
Cambodia has had as its icon the temples
of Angkor Wat.
• The significance of this religious land mark
is emphasised by its placement on the
flag.
Time line
• The temples of Angkor Wat were built in the
Angkor period.
• It was a significant period in Cambodian history
as the Khmer empire consolidated itself as one
of the great powers of the South –East Asian
region.
• The period covers more than 600 years , from
802 – 1432.
• These temples were built in the city of Angkor
Thom
• The temples wee originally built as places
of Hindu worship .
• Many of the Bas-reliefs tell the stories of
battles with foreign invaders, worship of
Hindu gods and daily life in Cambodia.
• The temples take the shape of mountains.
• This aqua photograph highlights the
significance of water as a life giving force
in Hindu worship.
From Hinduism to Buddhism
• Angkor Wat was restored as a Buddhist
shrine in the 1600s.
• It is a significant place of Buddhist worship
today, with Buddhist shrines present
throughout the complex.
Jungle Temples
• After several invasions from foreign countries
and a weakening of the Khmer Empire, the
temples of Angkor were over-run by the jungle.
• Sandstone has eroded and the structures have
become weak.
• Bat droppings have also significantly damaged
the temples.
• The Khmer Rouge damaged large parts of the
temples – decapitating the Hindu gods etc.
• General pilfering has also taken its toll.
Restoration
• Many countries are contributing to the
expensive task of restoring the temples.
• Countries such as France, Japan and the
United States have undertaken significant
projects to restore the temples.
• It is a costly and slow process.
• A process which the Cambodian people
are most supportive of asthey are very
proud of their temples.
• Angkor’s 100 or more temples are a part
of a complex devoted to religious worship.
It is the larges area of land devoted to
religious worship in the world.
• Each temple and structure reveals a
significant religious practice or aspect of
the way of life at the time of the Angkor
period.