Temples: Day 2 Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat

This is what all the talk is about, the mother of all temples. The size of this place is mind bothering. According to recorded history, it took 39 years to build this complex. Built in the 12th century, it sits on 402 acres and is one of the largest religious monuments in the world. Like a lot of the temples, Angkor Wat changed hands from Hindu to Buddhist...others went the other way.  

Angkor Wat at sunrise

A section of the mountainous structure

In the center of the complex is the mountainous structure on which stands the towers in the first picture. This represents the Hindu influence, while the outer structures display the Buddhist influence.

On the inside of the lower structure

On the outside of the lower structure

The inner walls of the lower structure that surrounds the central mountainous temple is a storybook of carvings, depicting the lives and kings and queens, gods, men at war, tortures, and life in and out of the walls of the temples.