Bayon Temple

Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom, Cambodia – 2018. Bayon Temple is in the center of Angkor Thom and was built in the late 12th and early 13th century during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. Its most distinctive feature is the many giant stone faces on the many towers on the upper terrace and central peak of the temple. The four roads entering from the four entry gates to Angkor Thom each lead directly to the temple. Later Kings made changes to the original temple rather than build their own new temple so there are both Hindu and Buddhist influences. This rebuilding has resulted in a very complex and crowded temple. The temple also has a number of bas-reliefs and carvings which show scenes of the Khmer armies, apsaras, naval battles, fishermen, cockfights, and many other things. Bayon Temple was abandoned at some point in the 16th century. Like many of the temples, Bayon was looted during the civil war and Khmer Rouge regime.
Bayon Temple
One of the many towers in Bayon Temple which have four faces each looking in a different direction
A bas-relief of an apsara which is a celestial nymph from Buddhist and Hindu mythology
A bas-relief of dancing apsara which are a celestial nymph from Buddhist and Hindu mythology
Bayon Temple inner gallery
Bayon Temple
A bas-relief on the walls of Bayon Temple
A bas-relief on the walls of Bayon Temple
A bas-relief on the outer gallery of the east section of Bayon Temple – The Khmers defeat the Chams in a land battle at Angkor
A bas-relief on the outer gallery of the east section of Bayon Temple – Khmer and Cham warships
A bas-relief on the outer gallery of the east section of Bayon Temple – showing a betting taking place before a cockfight
A few of the many towers in Bayon Temple which have four faces each looking in a different direction
Bayon Temple
Bayon Temple
The mysterious faces of Bayon Temple
The mysterious faces of Bayon Temple
One of the many towers in Bayon Temple which have four faces each looking in a different direction
The mysterious faces of Bayon Temple
A bas-relief of dancing apsara which are a celestial nymph from Buddhist and Hindu mythology
Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom, Cambodia
Copyright © 2006 - 2021, J. E. Matheson. All rights reserved.