Angkor Wat- Things That You Should Know About This Iconic Temple

Known to the world as the famous Tomb Raider temple, this 12^th century architectural marvel in Cambodia, an Asian continent, attracts as much as 50% of the tourists to the country. The Angkor Wat which once used to be a Hindu temple has been converted to a Buddhist place of worship, and with all the sculpted oddities and eye-catching claystone build proves to be an attraction not to be missed. An insight into this architectural wonder is what this blog is intended for. Let's have a look.

 

• As stated earlier, as many as 50% of the entire tourists to Cambodia come to the country solely for the purpose of visiting the Angkor Wat.
• The Angkor Wat is printed in the national flag of Cambodia. The Cambodians take pride in the fact that they have such an wonderful heritage to give to the world.
• Want to see Khmer architecture? Nothing else can be a better example than the Angkor Wat which is a classical style monument of the same.
• The temple has been built to represent Mount Meru, the home of the Hindu Mythology lord of Brahma and the demi-god devtas.
• As opposed to other temples in the region, the Angkor Wat is aligned to the west, contrary to the traditional process of east-alignment. The Angkor Wat faces sunset instead of sunrise, and the sun reciprocated by adding to its beauty in the evening.

• Angkor Wat was known as Pisnulok until the 16^th century and was later renamed to its present name. Pisnulok was the official title of Khmer king Suryavarman II, who posthumously enjoys the reputation of building it.

• The temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1992 to mark its recognition of playing an important part in both Hinduism and Buddhism.

• The decorations on the walls of the temple have a uniquely Hindu story telling characteristics. They have fables and myths pictures that tell of the temple's origin in Hindu religion.

• The site receives more than 2 million visitors annually for a reason - It ebbs an aura of divinity that can only be found in Incan and Mayan holy shrines.