Best Temples in Cambodia

Here are the best edifices built in Cambodia temple history.

1. Angkor Wat

The moniker itself is an explanation to why this is the most important among the temples of Angkor. The whole archaeological part is named after Angkor, and it has its presence on the national flag of Cambodia. Khmer ruler Suryavarman II constructed Angkor Wat in honour of his God, the preserver of Hinduism, Lord Vishnu. The Angkor temple is made up of five concentric rectangular walls and surrounded by moats symbolizing a cosmic chain of mountains and oceans. It is said that the central spire represents Mount Meru or Kailash, the centre of universe in Buddhism or Hinduism.

2. The Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom

Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom are located almost adjacent to each other, a few metres away. Angkor Thom is the grand city built by King Jayavarman II in late 12th century. The old capital of Yasodharapura was destroyed by Champas, who he defeated and made Angkor Thom the state capital of Khmer. There were a couple of old temples already standing in the premise. But he created his own royal state temple, the Bayon Temple, at the centre of the city. The Angkor Thom temple has massive faces of Buddha and Hindu gods and goddesses on its edifice – an exemplary architecture of the harmony between Buddhism and Hinduism.

3. Preah Khan

Preah Khan is another construction of King Jayavarman, which he built after defeating the invaders, right in the spot where he defeated the last of them. What remains of it includes a series of successive rectangular galleries surrounding a Buddhist sanctuary for worship. However, it was also used for education in Buddhism, Vaishnavism and Shaivism. Inside there is a towering central spire with 4 ornate carvings, resembling the Angkor Thom Bayon architecture.

4. Ta Prohm

Ta Prohm is undoubtedly one of the most famous temples of Cambodia. In spite of grander presences like Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, this one has an appeal of its own. The tentacle-like roots of gigantic trees embracing the temple structure and leaves casting a greenish shadow all-over the ramparts – gives Ta Prohm an ethereal, transcendental ambience.

5. Banteay Srei

Banteay Srei or the Temple of Women is called the art gallery of Angkor. Considered to be among the top 10 temples of Cambodia, this temple is unique because it was built by an advisor instead of the Khmer ruler himself and dedicated to the Hindu God in around early 9th century. The pink sandstone walls of Banteay Srei depict stories from many Hindu mythological tales and epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata.