Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is a monumental temple complex in north-western Cambodia and one of the most renowned architectural achievements of the Khmer Empire. Constructed during the early twelfth century as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, it later transformed into a major Buddhist site. Considered among the largest and most significant religious monuments in the world, it stands as a national symbol represented on the Cambodian flag and continues to function as a place of worship as well as a major centre of tourism.

Etymology

The modern name Angkor Wat translates to “City of Temples” in Khmer. Angkor derives from the Sanskrit–Pali nagara, meaning ‘city’ or ‘capital’, while wat originates from vāṭa, denoting an enclosure or temple compound. The temple’s original name is not preserved in inscriptions, though it may have been known as Vrah Viṣṇuloka or Parama Viṣṇuloka, meaning the ‘sacred dwelling of Viṣṇu’, a title which may also have honoured King Suryavarman II in his deified state.

Historical Background and Construction

Angkor Wat was commissioned by King Suryavarman II, who ruled the Khmer Empire from 1113 CE, and construction began around 1122 CE. It served both as the king’s state temple and his intended mausoleum. The temple was built within the vast capital region of Yaśodharapura (Angkor), on a site bounded by extensive moats and concentric galleries. The architectural plan synthesises two major Khmer forms: the temple mountain, symbolising Mount Meru, and the later gallery-temple layout. The central sanctuary features a quincunx of towers rising above successive rectangular terraces.
The temple’s primary orientation is westward, a feature unusual among Angkorian monuments. Scholarly debate continues regarding its significance, with interpretations ranging from cosmological symbolism to funerary intent. Although largely complete by the time of Suryavarman II’s death in 1150 CE, some decorative bas-reliefs remained unfinished.

Transformation into a Buddhist Temple

In 1177 CE Angkor was sacked by Champa forces, initiating a period of political disruption. Under King Jayavarman VII, the empire was restored, and Buddhism became the dominant state religion. Although Jayavarman VII founded a new capital at Angkor Thom, Angkor Wat gradually shifted from Hindu to Buddhist worship. Many original Hindu iconographic elements were replaced or supplemented with Buddhist sculpture and imagery. Chinese envoys and travellers of the fourteenth century, including Zhou Daguan and Zheng He, documented the continued religious significance of the site.
Despite the decline of Angkor after the sixteenth century, Angkor Wat remained in periodic use and was never completely abandoned. Seventeenth-century inscriptions record visits by Japanese Buddhist pilgrims who established small communities around the temple.

European Accounts and Rediscovery

Angkor Wat became known in Europe through reports from Portuguese visitors in the late sixteenth century, including the Capuchin friar António da Madalena. The site gained wider attention in the nineteenth century following the travels of the naturalist Henri Mouhot, whose published accounts introduced Angkor to Western scholarship and audiences. Subsequent studies by explorers and anthropologists, including Adolf Bastian, further disseminated knowledge of the site.
In 1863 Cambodia became a French protectorate, partly encouraged by French interest in the region’s archaeological heritage. French involvement led to reclamation of territories such as Siem Reap and Battambang, and to the establishment of systematic archaeological work.

Architecture and Artistic Features

The complexity of Angkor Wat’s layout reflects Khmer cosmological themes. The moat represents the cosmic ocean, while the central towers emulate Mount Meru. The temple is constructed mainly of sandstone, with laterite used for foundational elements. The galleries feature extensive bas-reliefs illustrating Hindu epics, celestial beings (devatā) and mythological narratives. These decorative elements exhibit refined craftsmanship and harmony of proportion typical of classical Khmer art.

Restoration and Conservation

Organised conservation began in the early twentieth century under the École française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO). Clearing vegetation, stabilising structures and restoring collapsed elements formed major components of the early work. Restoration was interrupted during Cambodian conflict from the 1970s to the 1990s. During the Khmer Rouge period, the Angkor Conservancy was dissolved, and the site suffered neglect, vandalism and art theft, though war-related physical damage to the temple itself was relatively limited.
In the late twentieth century, international cooperation intensified. The Archaeological Survey of India undertook conservation work between 1986 and 1992, though some efforts drew criticism for the use of chemicals and cement treatments. In 1992 UNESCO designated Angkor as a World Heritage Site and simultaneously placed it on the List of World Heritage in Danger. International collaboration, including the creation of APSARA (Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap) in 1995, enabled improved zoning, legislation and funding for preservation. Angkor was removed from the danger list in 2004 following significant progress in stabilisation and heritage management.

Cultural and Archaeological Context

Excavations at Angkor Wat and its surrounding area reveal an absence of domestic structures, suggesting that the architectural remains represent a ceremonial and administrative centre rather than a conventional urban settlement. The temple’s scale and complexity illustrate the engineering prowess of the Khmer civilisation and its mastery of hydraulic, architectural and artistic techniques.

Tourism and Contemporary Role

Today Angkor Wat remains an active Buddhist site and a major global tourist destination, drawing millions of visitors annually. Its cultural significance extends beyond its architectural grandeur; it symbolises Cambodia’s national identity, historical continuity and religious heritage. Ongoing conservation efforts aim to balance preservation with sustainable tourism, ensuring the protection of the monument for future generations.