Do you know where Angkor Wat is located or even what it is? It’s on countless bucket lists, but many people think they’ve never heard of it. Until they see a picture. Then it is “Ohh. I didn’t know its name.” or something similar.
OK, I stole my title from Lonely Planet. I thought it was clever. This destination has been on my bucket list for years and I’m thrilled that I am finally going to see it in November.
Built in 12th century by King Suryavarman II, it is the largest religious monument in the world and is located near Siem Reap, Cambodia. Translated, its name means ‘City Temple’ or ‘Temple of Cities’, which seems very unoriginal for such a magnificent shrine.
Angkor Wat was dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu who is one of the three principal Hindu gods. The major patron of Angkor Wat was King Suryavarman II. Many scholars believe that Angkor Wat was not only a temple dedicated to Vishnu but that it was also intended to serve as the king’s mausoleum in death.
The shrine continues to play an important role in Cambodia even though most of the population is now Buddhist. Since the 15th century, Buddhists have used the temple and visitors today will see Buddhist monks and nuns who worship at the site.
For you Trivia buffs:
- Jacqueline Kennedy risked a visit to Angkor Wat during the Vietnam War to fulfill a "lifelong dream" of seeing the monument.
- Cambodians are so proud of the monument that they put it on the Cambodian flag in 1850.
- The bricks were bonded together almost invisibly by using a vegetable compound rather than mortar.
- At least 5 million tons worth of sandstone had to be carried 25 miles from a quarry to build the monument.
- The Khmer king, Suryavarman II, who intended it to be his mausoleum, died during a military campaign in what is now Vietnam. Scholars debate whether he was or was not buried at Angkor Wat.
Would you like to visit this amazing site? I'm hosting a small group in October/November this year and I'd love for you to join me. Click here for more information.
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