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ANGKOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK - UNESCO World Heritage Site

In this image, I am hiding somewhere in front of the principal sanctuary of Angkor Wat –- known as Bakan. Then, we climbed those steep steps.

Image courtesy of my talented sister Punam Sinha.

Angkor Wat was the main reason, why I wanted to go to Cambodia. It is a well know World Heritage Site.

What is a common misconception [which even I had] is that the term "Angkor Archaeological Park," refers only to Angkor Wat. In fact, the term...

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ANGKOR WAT - UNESCO World Heritage Site [WHS], as part of Angkor Archaeological Park, listed as WHS in 1992.

Location: Siem Reap, Cambodia

Date built: 12th century

Creator: started by Suryavarman II; completed by Jayavarman VII.

Sanctum: Vishnu temple. Later Buddhist temple.

The modern name, Angkor Wat, means "Temple City" or "City of Temples."

Angkor Wat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site [WHS], as part of Angkor Archaeological Park, which was listed in 1992. Angkor Archaeological Park...

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GATES of ANGKOR THOM - UNESCO World Heritage Site [WHS], as part of Angkor Archaeological Park, listed as WHS in 1992.

Location: Siem Reap, Cambodia/ North of Angkor Wat temple.

Built: Late 12th century AD.

Creator: Jayavarman VII.

Giant faces of gods [devas] and demons [asuras] protect the city.

A 100 meters wide moat surrounded the outside of the wall.

The wall surrounding Angkor Thom forms a square. Each side is 3 kilometers long, with a height of 8 meters.

Gates of Angkor Thom are...

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BAYON - - UNESCO World Heritage Site [WHS], as part of Angkor Archaeological Park, listed as WHS in 1992.

Location: Bayon Temple is in the center of the walled city of Angkor Thom. Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Built: Late 12th century and early 13th century.

Creator: Jayavarman VII

Sanctum: Buddha, Avalokiteshvara.

Bayon is in the center of Angkor Thom.

Bayon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site [WHS], as part of Angkor Archaeological Park, which was listed in 1992. Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals...

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THE ROYAL TERRACES: Terrace of the Elephants Terrace of the Leper King

The Royal Terraces comprise of the "Terrace of Elephants" to the south, and "Terrace of the Leper King," to the north. Together they form the eastern boundry of the Royal Palace grounds. Both the terraces face the parade ground, where processions, parades and other events were held. The King would watch the evnts from the Elephant Terrace. He also used the terrace to listen to problems and complaints of the people of Angkor.

TERRACE of THE ELEPHANTS

Location:...

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THE ROYAL TERRACES: Terrace of the Elephants Terrace of the Leper King

The Royal Terraces comprise of the "Terrace of Elephants" to the south, and "Terrace of the Leper King," to the north. Together they form the eastern boundry of the Royal Palace grounds. Both the terraces face the parade ground, where processions, parades and other events were held. The King would watch the evnts from the Elephant Terrace. He also used the terrace to listen to problems and complaints of the people of Angkor.

TERRACE of THE LEPER KING

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TA PROHM - UNESCO World Heritage Site [WHS], as part of Angkor Archaeological Park, listed as WHS in 1992.

Located approximately one kilometre east of Angkor Thom.

Built: Late 12th and early 13th centuries.

Creator: Jayavarman VII.

Sanctum: Buddha.

The temple is dedicated to the mother of Jayavarman VII.

The most distinctive feature of Ta Prohm is the giant root trees growing out of the ruins.

Ta Prohm is nicknamed the Tomb Raider temple.

Ta Prohm is one of “the big three” must see...

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PREAH KHAN - UNESCO World Heritage Site [WHS], as part of Angkor Archaeological Park, listed as WHS in 1992.

Location: Northeast of Angkor Thom and west of Jayatataka baray.

Built: 12th century.

Creator:  Jayavarman VII

Sanctum: Buddha / Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara.

The temple was built on the site of Jayavarman VII's victory over the invading Chams in 1191.

The modern name, meaning "holy sword", is derived from the meaning of the original—Nagara Jayasri meaning "holy city of victory."

The temple is dedicated to Jayavarman VII's father.  The...

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NEAK PEAN -UNESCO World Heritage Site [WHS], as part of Angkor Archaeological Park, listed as WHS in 1992.

Location: circular island in Jayatataka Baray, which was associated with Preah Khan temple.

Built: 12th century

Creator: Jayavarman VII

Sanctum: Buddha.

Neak Pean means the "entwined serpents."

Neak Pean was originally designed for medical purposes. Tt is one of the many hospitals that Jayavarman VII built.

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