Khmer lasses, of present and of yore.
Remains of a once-lordly object.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
The Locals 100806
Local kids, making the ruins their playground, hop from stone to stone effortlessly while munching on snacks and fruits. I guess they enjoy watching the foreigners, especially the clueless ones. :-)
Khmer lasses, of present and of yore.
Remains of a once-lordly object.
Khmer lasses, of present and of yore.
Remains of a once-lordly object.
The Ornaments 100806
Devatas and a new-found friend.
Looks like the Buddha to me. Ornately engraved.
More devatas, among the rubble.
Looks like the Buddha to me. Ornately engraved.
More devatas, among the rubble.
FINAL ~ Bye from Ta Prohm 100806
We have to quit Ta Prohm now to go to a smallish Buddhist monastery, Banteay Kdei, next to the 1000-year-old man-made lake of Srah Srang, before the day is out.
So here's another gallery of the amazing Living Trees, and think of The Tomb Raider and Two Brothers. :-)
Epilogue: HERE
So here's another gallery of the amazing Living Trees, and think of The Tomb Raider and Two Brothers. :-)
Epilogue: HERE
Friday, August 18, 2006
FIRST ~ The Grand Entrance 100806
We head for the entrance to Angkor Thom, the most famous capital of the ancient Khmer kingdom. Located just north of Angkor Wat, it was built late 12th century by Jayavarman VII. The causeway leading to the main southern gate is flanked by rows of personalities from Hindu mythology.
To the left, the good guys, the 54 devas, and ...
... to the right, the bad guys, the 54 asuras.
To the left, the good guys, the 54 devas, and ...
... to the right, the bad guys, the 54 asuras.
The Asura and the Moat 100806
Beady eyes of a mean-looking asura. You would not want to bump into this chap in the alleyways.
Asura's profile, against the morning sun.
Did I mention causeway? Then here's the moat, or what's left of it on the devas' side.
\
On the asuras' side, the moat still looks like a moat.
Asura's profile, against the morning sun.
Did I mention causeway? Then here's the moat, or what's left of it on the devas' side.
\On the asuras' side, the moat still looks like a moat.
The Gate 100806
The imposing entrance gate, with the 4 faces. Of whom? The jury is still out, though most say they are the faces of Jayavarman VII himself.
Another view of the gate, which faces south and the road leading to Angkor Wat.
Close-up of one of the mysterious faces. Please see a good write-up HERE.
Another view of the gate, which faces south and the road leading to Angkor Wat.
Close-up of one of the mysterious faces. Please see a good write-up HERE.
The Bayon 100806
A short drive past the narrow passageway at the main gate, we arrive at the Bayon, the flagship temple of Angkor Thom. Buddhist, built in early 13th century by Jayavarman VII, it is the state temple.
To the right, next to the Bayon's entrance, a pile of archaeological rubble. Still priceless, regardless.
Front right portion of the Bayon being put together.
To the right, next to the Bayon's entrance, a pile of archaeological rubble. Still priceless, regardless.
Front right portion of the Bayon being put together.
The Faces of the Bayon 100806
This is what the Bayon is famous for: towers of the four smiling faces, looking north, east, south and west.
There are 200 of these faces, in total (atop 50 towers, of course).
Almost 50m in height.
There are 200 of these faces, in total (atop 50 towers, of course).
Almost 50m in height.
Smiling Faces 100806
More towers with smiling faces.
Again a subject of debate. Faces of Avalokiteshvara or Jayavarman VII, or somebody/thing else?
But whatever they are, to come face-to-face with them brings a sense of wonderment and awe.
The serene faces look very much at peace, and so am I, as I gaze upon them. Fascinating stuff!
Quite wholesome lips too. :-)
Again a subject of debate. Faces of Avalokiteshvara or Jayavarman VII, or somebody/thing else?
But whatever they are, to come face-to-face with them brings a sense of wonderment and awe.
The serene faces look very much at peace, and so am I, as I gaze upon them. Fascinating stuff!
Quite wholesome lips too. :-)
Inside the Bayon 100806
Buddhist priests (I am told they are nuns, but they sure look androgynous to me) waiting to offer prayers for visitors. One of them grabs me and shoves 3 joss-sticks into my hand. Facing the Buddha, he utters a prayer in Khmer, before asking me to stick the joss-sticks into a sand-filled container. One quickie prayer for me, done.
There is always something interesting to see at every nook and cranny ...
... that one can easily lose one's way in the maze of the Bayon.
Master jigsaw-puzzlers hard at work.
There is always something interesting to see at every nook and cranny ...
... that one can easily lose one's way in the maze of the Bayon.
Master jigsaw-puzzlers hard at work.
The Apsaras, again 100806
Yes, the graceful dancing apsaras are here too.
Every one of these celestial characters is individually unique, in its physical form and expression.
Every one of these celestial characters is individually unique, in its physical form and expression.
