Angkorwat - Sri Vishnu Shrine

The sea-faring activities ini    tiated and promoted by the enterprising Indian princes gave a tremendous Philip to the valorous daredevils and Mammon worshippers as far back as in Tretayuga. Finding the conditions congenial, the migrants settled down there permanently involving themselves in several activities. Later some ruling classes, besides satisfied with sending cultural ambassadors, established great empires in the Far-east countries. The soil too has a peculiar quality of receiving and retaining the foreign civilization, particularly Indian. The kingdoms thus established there breathed in Indianess and breathed out the glorious Indian culture. This phenomenon continued for over several centuries and left behind numerous monuments, declaring the  splendour of Bharatiya samskriti.

Among the innumerable relics strewn across Indo-china, Malaysia, East Indies etc., the present Vietnam proudly claims priority in possessing unique religious monument. Of them, Angkor Wat deserves first mention. It is deemed the largest religious building in the world and enshrines certain features especial teat justify the claim. It is an invaluable gift of Khmer dynasty to religion and was built by Suryavar man II in the twelfth century A.D. It lies at the foot of Dangkark mountain about- three kilometres north of Angkor. The plan and execution of this holy shrine are lofty and its sculptured architecture is beyond the range of words. The central sanctuary stands on a forty foot- high-square terrace, measuring 750 square feet. It is beautified with four tall, majestic towers rising from the four corners, connected by galleries, communicating with central shrine akin to garbhagriha. The entire structure is quite awesome and its imposing dimensions adorned with pare sculptures mirrors the refined taste of the builders. To speak the least, this fortified temple, has a 200 meter wide moat - a unique feature very rarely built for temples. The whole area covers nearly one square mile.

Its legendary account grows eloquent, attributing the construction to Devendra. the Lord of Heavens. According to it - the pinnacles were plated with gold and the sculptural adornments are indescribable, found either on wall panels or ceiling. This is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the icon is made of dazzling gold mounted on Garuda, His vehicle. Its equate Craftsmanship is awe-inspiring. In consonance with the land's tradition, it is taken out in procession on Gwtival occasions. So, it is both Iltsav and Moolavigrah. comparable to the majestic icon of Lord Jagannath at Puri. The story goes that it is a representation of the king defied as Vishnu, and this splendid shrine, is the mausoleum of the king. A queer tradition and a novel custom! The land's tradition believes in the Devaraja cult - God-king, and the ruling prince occupying the exalted position claims divinity, perhaps due to expediency of time and place. This unparalleled gem of religious monument is well preserved and is drawing a steady influx of devotees and scholars.

It lies 3 km off Angkor city, accessible by all types of transport.

[ Back ] [ Temples Of India ] [ Up ] [ Next ]