Angkor Wat (/ˌæŋkɔːr ˈwɒt/, means "City/Capital of Temples") is a temple complex in Cambodia, on a site measuring (1,626,000 square metres; 402 acres), where was originally constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire (broke from the Shaiva tradition of previous kings) and eventual mausoleum for the King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yaśodharapura (present-day Angkor), the capital of the Khmer Empire.

 

 

The temple is at the top of combining two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple-mountain and the later galleried temple. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat more than 5 kilometres (3 mi) long  and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west; scholars are divided as to the significance of this.

 

 

The temple is admired for the grandeur and harmony of the architecture, its extensive bas-reliefs, and for the numerous devatas adorning its walls.

 

 

 

 

It was gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century.

 

It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.

 

 

As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation and the largest religious monument in Indochina.

 

Source: Internet