angkor - Abbeville Press

angkor
a
n
g
k
o
r
celestial
celestial temples
temples
of the
of the
k hme r
khmer empire
empire
ortner
jon ortner
a ngkor
celestial temples
of the
khmer empire
p h o t o g ra p h s by j o n ort n e r
text by ian mabbett, eleanor mannikka,
j o n o rt n e r , j o h n s a n d ay, a n d jam es g o o d m a n
afterword by kerya chau sun
abbeville press publishers
new york london
a ng k or
celestial temples of the khmer empire
a ng k or wa t
1
2
the surrounding
temples
contents
{
{
the heart of
angkor
Angkor Wat
Phnom Bakheng
Baksei Chamkrong
Angkor Thom
Chou Seh Tevoda
Thommanon
Ta Keo
Ta Nei
Ta Prohm
Banteay Kdei
Sra Srang
Prasat Kravan
Preah Khan
Neak Pean
Ta Som
East Mebon
Western Baray
Pre Rup
8
9
10
The
t h a i l a n d
preah vihear
stung treng
ratanakiri
banteay
meanchey
siem reap
Mek
battambang
mondulkiri
c a m b o d i a
kratie
kompong
chnnang
kompong cham
v i e t n a m
Ko Kut
koh kong
angkor
a n g k o r: h i st o ry,
r e l i g i o n and c u l t u r e
by Ian Mabbett
44
46
48
48
52
54
58
64
78
Phnom Bakheng
Baksei Chamkrong
Angkor Thom
The Gopuras
Elephant Terrace
Royal Terrace
Baphuon
Royal Enclosure:
Phimeanakas
Prah Palilay
Tep Pranam
Prah Pithu Group
Prasat Suor Prat
North Kleang and
South Kleang
Bayon
90
The
96
The
68
69
70
74
76
prey veng
kompong
speu
of
24
pursat
Ko Chang
heart
Angkor Wat
ong
kompong
thom
TonlÈ Sap
introduction
by Jon Ortner
12
l a o s
odor
meanchey
c h r o n o l o g y of s i t e s
rulers /accomplishments
s i g n i f i c a n c e of the
c a l e n d a r at a n g k o r w a t
by Eleanor Mannikka
Mek
ong
g u l f o f
t h a i l a n d
Prasat Phimai
Roulos
Banteay
Samre
{
Muang Tam
issan thailand
a r c h i t e c t u r e and
c o n s e r v a t i o n of a n g k o r w a t
by John Sanday
Preah Vihear
Beng Mealea
Chou Seh Tevoda
Thommanon
Ta Keo
Ta Nei
Ta Prohm
Banteay Kdei
Sra Srang
Prasat Kravan
Preah Khan
Neak Pean
Ta Som
East Mebon
Western Baray (West Mebom)
Pre Rup
160
g e o g r a p h y and
h y d r o l o g y of c a m b o d i a
by James Goodman
The
170
176
180
184
186
188
192
194
198
200
206
210
214
216
220
outer
and
border temples
Banteay Srei
Banteay Samre
Roluos: Bakong
Roluos: Preah Ko
Roluos: Lolei
Phnom Prom
Tonle Sap Lake and
Floating Villages
Beng Mealea
Kbal Spean
Phnom Kulen
Issan Thailand:
Prasat Phnom Rung
Prasat Phimai
Muang Tam
Prasat Sikhoraphum
Preah Vihear
232
afterword
p r e s e r v a t i o n of the
c u l t u r a l h e r i t a g e of a n g k o r
by Kerya Chau Sun
266
288
floor plans
acknowledgments
Tonle Sap Lake and
Floating Village
{
Phnom Rung
takeo
o f
Sikhoraphum
svay
rieng
surrounding temples
116
118
120
122
126
130
134
136
138
144
146
150
152
154
kandal
Koh Kong
g u l f
The
Banteay Srei
the outer and
border temples
262
2 74
n a t i o n a l m u s e u m of c a m b o d i a
glossary
280
index
chronology
rulers
of construction of the monuments
and their accomplishments
c 628
800 889–
c 915
Sambor Prei Kuk
(Kompong Thom)
Phonom Bok
802
Ak Thom
825
Phnom Kulen
c 850
c 1100–
1200
881
Rolous Lolei
1113–1150
Angkor Wat
c 478-514
kaundinya jayavarman
1150
Chou Seh Tevoda
1150
Thommanon
Banteay Samre
1181
walls of Angkor Thom
1186
Ta Prohm
c 1180–
1200
550
c550
600–615
615-635
Banteay Kdei
c600
c 889–900
Phnom Krom
c 889–900
Prasat Bei
1191
Preah Khan
c 889–900
Thma Bay Kaek
1191
Neak Pean
905
Phnom Bakheng
1190–1210
Banteay Chhmar
Prasat Phnom Rung (now in
Issan Thailand)
1190–1210
Ta Som
1190–1210
Sra Srang
1190–1210
Angkor Thom
1190–1210
4 directional Entry Towers and
Gates, South Causeway
c 1190
c 921–941
921
Koh Ker (Glaize, 931 +/- 950)
Prasat Kravan
947
Baksei Chamkrong (c 907)
952
East Mebon
1190–1210
Bayon (within Angkor Thom)
961
Pre Rup
1190–1210
961
Phimeanakas (now within
Angkor Thom; Jacques c1011)
Elephant Terrace (within
Angkor Thom)
657-681
c 710
713
802-850
802-850
967
c 1000
c 1243–
1295
Royal Terrace (within
Angkor Thom)
c 1243–
1295
Prah Palilay (within Angkor Thom)
Banteay Srei
850-877
Muang Tam (now in Issan
Thailand)
c 1243–
1295
Prasat Suor Prat (within
Angkor Thom)
1000–1025
Ta Keo
1002–1050
North and South Kleang
(now within Angkor Thom)
c 1243–
1307
Prah Pithu group (within
Angkor Thom)
Baphuon (now within
Angkor Thom)
c 1243–
1295
Prasat Krol Ko
c 1243–
1295
Ta Prohm Kel
1050–1066
1050–1066
West Mebon
1050–1066
West Baray
c 1090–
1190
bhavavarman i
prince from the Sambor region on the Mekong
River, son of Viravarman
built city of Bhavapura near Sambor Prei Kuk
mahendravarman
brother of Bhavavarman
900-921
isnavarman i
son of Mahendravarman; ruled almost all of
what is now present day Cambodia
S group at Sambor Prei Kuk
900-921
c 850
877-889
879
928
Prasat Phimai (now in
Issan Thailand)
bhavavarman ii
son of Isnavarman
jayavarman i
Kindgom of Chenla, 6th-8th cent.;
founded the capitol of Purandarapura;
ruled from Aninditapura
yasovarman i
son of Indravarman I; built new capitol
at Angkor, Yashodharapura;
Phnom Bakheng
20 stelae have been found, marking
some of the sites of 100 ashrams
Eastern Baray
around his empire
Roluos Lolei
Phnom Krom
Phnom Bok
harshavarman i
son of Yasovarman
Baksei Chamkrong
Prasat Kravan
922-927
ishanavarman ii
other son of Yasovarman
921-940
jayavarman iv
established capitol at Koh Ker
Koh Ker
Ta Nei
639
c 900–1180
889-900
kaundinya ii
Roluos: Bakong
893
889-900
400-420
Roluos: Prah Ko
Preah Vihear
kaundinya-soma
Kingdom of Funan 1st-6th cent.
Beng Mealea
Ak Yum (Jacques 655)
890–1150
100 ad
(legendary)
1113–1145
1150–1175
879
Prasat Sik horaphum (now in
Issan Thailand)
921-941
100 ad
(legendary)
Kaundinya-Soma
Kingdom of Funan 1st-6th cent.
nripaditya
400-420
kaundinya ii
j a y a d e v i (Queen)
Daughter of Jayavarman, wife of Nripaditya
c 478-514
kaundinya jayavarman
550
jayavarman ii
founded the Khmer Empire; instituted Linga
cult of the god-king; royal
Ak Thom
patronage of Siva; founded Amarendrapura;
founded the capitol of Roluos; Phnom Kulen
moved capital to Kulen
Banteay Chmar
c550
600–615
615-635
jayavarman iii
son of Jayavarman i i ; moved the capitol
to Angkor;
Bakong
Prei Monti
Trapeang Phong
c600
639
657-681
indravarman i
nephew of Jayavarman ii; emergence
of classical Khmer art
Rolous Preah Ko
Rolous Bakong
Baray Bakong, Indratataka
first Baray at Lolei
Prasat Bei
Thma Bay Kaek
639
657-681
a ng k or
celestial temples of the khmer empire
a ng k or wa t
5
6
bhavavarman i
prince from the Sambor region on the Mekong
River, son of Viravarman
built city of Bhavapura near Sambor Prei Kuk
mahendravarman
brother of Bhavavarman
isnavarman i
son of Mahendravarman; ruled almost all of
what is now present day Cambodia
S group at Sambor Prei Kuk
bhavavarman ii
son of Isnavarman
jayavarman i
Kindgom of Chenla, 6th-8th cent.;
founded the capitol of Purandarapura;
ruled from Aninditapura
bhavavarman ii
son of Isnavarman
jayavarman i
Kindgom of Chenla, 6th-8th cent.;
founded the capitol of Purandarapura;
ruled from Aninditapura
✳
Banteay Thom
✳
banteay prol
✳
preah khan
North Gopura
✳
the heart of
Royal
Terrace
✳
Phimeanakis
Baphuon ✳
a ngkor
✳ North KleangVictory
Gate
✳ Prasat Suor Prat✳
✳ South Kleang
✳
Bayon
✳
Elephant Terrace
✳
Gate of
Death
angkor thom
South Gopura
✳
✳ Baksei Chamkrong, p.40
Phnom Bakheng, p.36
angkor wat
a ng k or c e l e st i a l t e m p l e s
of the
k h m e r e m p i r e 14
a ng k or c e l e st i a l t e m p l e s
of the
k h m e r e m p i r e 15
prasat prei
angkor
wat
Erdiet doming id quod
mazim placerat facer possim
assum. Lorem ipsum
dolor sit atmet. Nam libertempor
cum soluta nobis
eleifend option congue nihil
imperdiet doming quod
mazim placerat facer possim
assum. Erdiet doming
id quod mazim edio placerat
facer possim assum.
Nam liber tempor cum soluta
nobis eleifend option.
Angkor Wat is the
most important monument of the Khmer
civilization and the largest temple
in the world. Built by Suryavarman 11,
who unified Cambodia more than
a thousand years ago,
it is widely regarded as one of the most
magnificent buildings ever created.
It was constructed as a shrine
to Vishnu, a royal mausoleum, and
a physical representation of
the Hindu cosmos.
a ng k or c e l e st i a l t e m p l e s
of the
k h m e r e m p i r e 16
a ng k or c e l e st i a l t e m p l e s
of the
k h m e r e m p i r e 17
A causeway paved with huge sandstone blocks worn smooth by the feet of countless pilgrims crosses
from the west over a wide moat. A gopura leads to a second raised causeway, bordered by naga
balustrades intersecting with a cruciform platform called the Grand Terrace.
a ng k or c e l e st i a l t e m p l e s
of the
k h m e r e m p i r e 18
A low enclosure wall, beginning near the Grand Terrace, divided the temple from the city. Two concentric
galleries define the first and second enclosures, with the pyramid platform at the cen
The
heart
of
a n g k o r a n g k o r w a t 19
(Top) The eastern side of Angkor Wat is a secondary entrance.
The causeway crosses the moat, passes through a gopura and then a forest that still shows
faint outlines of ancient habitations, ending at the giant naga balustrades
of the third enclosure wall.
(Above) The galleries of bas-reliefs are among the largest friezes in the world,
two thousand feet (610 m) long and six and a half feet (2 m) high.
They are divided into eight major subjects, two on each side, with individual scenes in
the southwest and northwest corner pavilions.
a ng k or c e l e st i a l t e m p l e s
of the
k h m e r e m p i r e 20
The central sanctuary tower is the summit of the pyramid, an earthly representation
of mythical Mount Meru, symbolizing the center of the world and
the axis of the universe.
The
heart
of
a n g k o r a n g k o r w a t 21
(Top) The idea of a curved tower, which originated in the temples of
southern India, was brilliantly employed by the Khmer, who reduced the diameter and height
of each successive tier, added an upturned lip of stone to fill in the shape, and
redented the square corners of the structure by cutting the angles.
(Above) The exact positioning and measurements of the central sanctuary indicate that advanced
astronomy played a key role in the temple’s architectural design and ritual use. Extremely steep staircases,
which narrow as they ascend, lead to the celestial realm of the gods.
(Opposite) Vishnu was originally installed at the apex of the central sanctuary.
As the source and creator of all existence, he ruled supreme over the gods and the universe. By identifying
himself with the deity, the king shared in Vishnu’s glory and all-encompassing power.
a ng k or c e l e st i a l t e m p l e s
of the
k h m e r e m p i r e 22
a ng k or c e l e st i a l t e m p l e s
of the
k h m e r e m p i r e 23
A steep, three-tiered platform
supports the galleries of the first enclosure.
Four directional gopuras lead to
the axial galleries of the central sanctuary.
Corner towers, which once held
statues of Brahmanic gods, are now
occupied by Buddhas.
a ng k or c e l e st i a l t e m p l e s
of the
k h m e r e m p i r e 25
(Top) The most famous bas-relief at Angkor
concerns the Hindu creation myth of the Churning of the Sea of Milk.
The asuras and the devas pull on either end of a great naga
wrapped around Mount Meru, which acts as a pivot, churning out
the essence of life and the universe.
(Top) The eastern section of the south gallery concerns the judgment
of the dead and their rewards or punishments. With ropes around their necks,
the damned are led to hell, Vaitaranidani. The tortures that await
include starvation, beatings with clubs, and
assault by elephants.
(Above) The west gallery displays scenes from
the Hindu epic the Ramayana, in which monkey warriors fight demons
in the Battle of Lanka.
(Above) In the south gallery, a nobleman is carried by slaves
in the king’s procession.
a ng k or c e l e st i a l t e m p l e s
of the
k h m e r e m p i r e 26
The
heart
of
a n g k o r a n g k o r w a t 27
Suryavarman 11 ruled at the peak
of Khmer power and influence.
Carvings of the mighty Khmer army and
his royal processions sweep across
the western wing of the south gallery.
Traces of original gold leaf remain
on a scene of two men riding horses.
a ng k or c e l e st i a l t e m p l e s
of the
k h m e r e m p i r e 28
When Cambodia converted to Theravada Buddhism in the fourteenth century,
Angkor Wat was filled with statues of the Buddha.
One of the cruciform galleries became the Hall of a Thousand Buddhas,
and the vestibules of the central sanctuary were turned into shrines.
Opposite Page:
Angkor Wat has been a place of pilgrimage, worshiped since its inception.
a ng k or c e l e st i a l t e m p l e s
of the
k h m e r e m p i r e 30
a ng k or c e l e st i a l t e m p l e s
of the
k h m e r e m p i r e 31
On the far side of the
laterite fourth enclosure wall,
a moat measuring almost a mile (1.5 km)
on each side lined with
sandstone embankments forms the
external boundary of the temple.
The total area encompasses
an enormous 500 acres (200 hectares).
a ng k or c e l e st i a l t e m p l e s
of the
k h m e r e m p i r e 33
phnom
bakheng
Phnom Bakheng was at the center
of the first capital of Angkor,
Yasodharapura, circa 907.
The huge sandstone and laterite
temple mountain was carved
into the bedrock at the
top of one of the most strategic
promontories in the area.
a ng k or c e l e st i a l t e m p l e s
of the
k h m e r e m p i r e 34
a ng k or c e l e st i a l t e m p l e s
of the
k h m e r e m p i r e 35
(Top) The architectural plan of Phnom Bakheng, a precursor to Angkor Wat,
incorporates astronomical measurements and symbolic numbers, creating a sacred mandala,
a building that represents Mount Meru as well as functioning as a ritual calendar.
(Above) Forty-four brick towers are arranged around the base of Phnom Bakheng,
while sixty smaller sandstone prasat towers adorn its steep axial stairways.
Five terraces lead to the summit, which is crowned with a quincunx of sandstone towers.
(Opposite) An image of the devaraja Yasodharesvara
was in the central sanctuary. The four surrounding shrines housed lingas and were
decorated with devatas and foliated scrolls.
a ng k or c e l e st i a l t e m p l e s
of the
k h m e r e m p i r e 36
a ng k or c e l e st i a l t e m p l e s
of the
k h m e r e m p i r e 37
baksei
chamkrong
This miniature temple mountain
is located at the foot of Phnom Bakheng.
The pyramid is made of laterite,
topped by a single brick tower on a
sandstone base.
Originally Baksei Chamkrong
contained a golden image of Shiva.
a ng k or c e l e st i a l t e m p l e s
of the
k h m e r e m p i r e 38
a ng k or c e l e st i a l t e m p l e s
of the
k h m e r e m p i r e 39