Srah Srang

Srah Srang

Srah Srang was dug in the mid-10th century, by initiative of Kavindrarimathana, Buddhist minister of Rajendravarman II. It was modified by Jayavarman VII, who added the laterite landing-stage at its western side.

Srah Srang means “Royal Bath", is a baray or reservoir, located south of the East Baray and east of Banteay Kdei temple.

Srah Srang measures 700 by 300 metres, and there is a little temple at the centre of this reservoir. The landing-stage, opposite the entrance to Banteay Kdei temple, is a popular site for viewing the sunrise. It is cruciform, flanked by Naga balustrades which end with the upright head of a serpent, mounted by a Garuda with its wings unfurled. The steps that lead down to the water are flanked by two guardian lions.

Mythology: Krisna Kills Keshi

Jayavarman VII - Supreme King (1181 - c. 1218)

Jayavarman VII defeated the Chams out of Angkor and built a prosperous nation in all areas, elevating Khmer civilization to the highest level. The battle for territory took four years. King Jayavarman led a fierce battle against the invading Cham army and won a series of victories. He finally received complete victory over the Chams in naval battles on the Tonle Sap Lake. Cambodia was liberated. He was crowned King of Angkor at the age of 46, named Jayavarman VII, after which the Kingdom of Cambodia became prosperous. This king has a wife named Jayarajadevi. Husband and wife love each other very much and are very generous in Buddhism. After Jayarajadevi died, the king married Indradevi, who was the brother of Jayarajadevi. Princess Indradevi is a woman, scholar, highly cultured and deeply philosophical. She was a professor at a Buddhist pagoda and built an inscription at Phimean Akas about the biography of Jayavarman VII. Jayavarman VII had many good and loyal officials, including the Cham king Vityanon waiting to serve. With all their loyalty, he was able to restore and rebuild the nation.

 

For the Chams who invaded, destroyed and occupied Angkor in 1177, Jayavarman VII decided to take revenge. For many years He lived quietly and patiently. Now it's time to attack. First, he neutralized Dai Viet. He then sent an army under the command of the Cham king named Vityanon to attack the kingdom of Champa. Khmer troops captured Vichey, the capital of Nokor Champa. He raised Prince En to reign in Vichey. Later, the Chams in Vichey rebelled against the Vityanon, conquered, conspired, and declared themselves kings of the entire kingdom of Champa. Unable to bring Vityanon under his command, Jayavarman VII sent troops to defeat Vityanon. Nokor Champa then became a Khmer province for about 17 years. In 1207, Jayavarman VII ordered another Cham king, Apsaraj, to raise an army to attack Dai Viet. During his reign, the Khmer Empire had a very large scope. In all wars, Jayavarman VII was both strict and tolerant of the losers. To everyone, he loves and compassionate, according to the main virtue of Buddhism, compassion.

Jayavarman VII was a staunch adherent of Mahayana Buddhism. He always had compassion according to the teachings of the Buddha. This is the virtue that the king must have to fulfill his royal duties. He always thinks of people in need. He also commissioned the construction of several hospitals throughout the country. An inscription states that there are 102 hospitals. These hospitals have enough medicine and many traditional medicine doctors to treat patients at all levels. Jayavarman VII ordered the construction of many roads across the country, especially from Angkor to Phimai (Phimai today in Thai territory) and from Angkor to Champa. In addition, there are large bridges as well as many inns for travelers and monuments. There are 121 lodges across the country, located on the main road, about 12 to 15 km apart, equal to the distance that pedestrians can walk in 4 or 5 hours. At those lodges, travelers can cook, eat and rest at night. Jayavarman VII was very kind and respectful to his parents. To dedicate to the souls of the two meritorious, he built many temples and monasteries: Ta Prohm, dedicated to his mother, and Preah Khan, dedicated to his father. Compassion, another virtue of Buddhism, enabled him to retain important functions for the Brahmins. The Brahmins continued to live in the palace, still being respected and still having the necessary elite status in organizing Brahmanical ceremonies. Some Brahmins traveled from far away to come and serve him. He was kind, loved the people, and was moved by the suffering and pain of the people. An inscription on his hospital reads: "The sickness of the people afflicted him more than his own."

Jayavarman VII was the most accomplished king. The capital of Angkor was reorganized after the Chams invaded and destroyed it. He built a quadrangular wall around Angkor Thom, 3 km long and 8 m high on each side. Angkor Thom has four gates facing the four directions and a fifth gate called the Victory Gate, which exits to the east corner. Like other Cambodian capitals, this city is surrounded by moats. The Bridge, which crosses the entrance to the temple, has statues of gods and demons dragging dragons on the sides. Phnom Bakheng of Yasovarman is no longer the center of the capital: in the middle of this new compound he built the Bayon temple dedicated to Mahayana Buddhism. Bayon has a total of 54 towers at all levels; each tower has 4 smiling faces. In the galleries, there are sculptures depicting men and women of that time, working in daily life, serving the king or waging war, etc. Bayon temple is the core in the center of the city. Not far from here is Baphuon Temple, there is an old palace decorated with terraces of elephants and terraces of Leper king, and nearby there are 12 towers of Sou Prat temple. Around the city, Jayavarman VII left many artifacts for future generations, such as Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Banteay Kdei with Srah Srang in front, Neak Pean temple in the middle of the reservoir, Ta Som, Krol Ko. The King not only adorned the capital, he built many other structures throughout the country: Wat Nokor (Kampong Cham), Ta Prohm (Tonle Bati), Banteay Chhmar (Banteay Meanchey) and many other temples that are now in Thailand. The construction of the Banteay Chhmar temple, which has beautiful sculptures, may require about 44,000 workers to work for eight years and about 1,000 sculptors to work for 20 years (according to Mr. Chuck Kroly).

He built many temples in addition to the great works of previous monarchs to give the whole of humanity one of the most glorious civilizations known to the world.

 

Banteay Kdei

Banteay Kdei

Banteay Kdei temple is a Buddhist temple, built in the mid-12th to early 13th centuries AD during the reign of Jayavarman VII.

Banteay Kdei temple is located opposite of Srah Srang, which is an ancient and historic man-made reservoir (also known as the “royal bathing pool”).

Banteay Kdei means "A Citadel of Chambers”. It had been occupied by monks at various intervals over the centuries until the 1960s. It is in the Bayon architectural style, similar in plan to Ta Prohm temple and Preah Khan temple, but less complex and smaller. Its structures are contained three successive enclosure walls and display many towers. The access can be either the east or west gates but the main entrance is being east. The outer enclosure 700 metres by 500 meters and it made of laterite and each Gopura is crowed with four giant faces which may represent the face of Buddhisatva Avolokesvara. At the corner of each Gopura is a sculpture of Garuda with large open wings and a serpent’s head.

The decoration on top of the wall is composed of piece of sandstone which was carved with images of Buddha sitting meditating within frames however; those images were destroyed by Hindu iconoclasts.

Two hundred meters along with library building on the each side, from the east entrance of this enclosure leads to a moat, which is decorated with statues of lions and Naga-balustrades mounted on Garudas. The Buddha image at the entrance to the moat, near the second interior gate, is well preserved, considering the fact that most of the other statues have been destroyed or stolen.

A paved access from here leads to the main shrine which comprises a free standing square pillared building of uncertain function. The concept, it should be a library. At the end of this paved way is the “Hall of Dancers”, which has four open courtyards and the pillars, have fine carvings of Apsaras.

Visitor should walk around the complex of the inner building to see the general condition of this temple. There are also some piece of statues and statue pedestal in the shrines of this temple.

After the death of King Jayavarman VII, Buddha statues and images, being defaced and destroyed during the reign of King Jayavarman VIII.

Banteay Kdei temple was overgrown by dense forest and vegetation after it was abandoned for many centuries and it was cleared under the guidance of Henri Marchal from1920-1922. Since March 2002, Sophia University Mission from Japan has carried out further archaeological research at Banteay Kdei and 274 Buddhist statues made in sandstone was found by excavation at north building of library near the royal terrace.

Jayavarman VII - Supreme King (1181 - c. 1218)            

Jayavarman VII defeated the Chams out of Angkor and built a prosperous nation in all areas, elevating Khmer civilization to the highest level. The battle for territory took four years. King Jayavarman led a fierce battle against the invading Cham army and won a series of victories. He finally received complete victory over the Chams in naval battles on the Tonle Sap Lake. Cambodia was liberated. He was crowned King of Angkor at the age of 46, named Jayavarman VII, after which the Kingdom of Cambodia became prosperous. This king has a wife named Jayarajadevi. Husband and wife love each other very much and are very generous in Buddhism. After Jayarajadevi died, the king married Indradevi, who was the brother of Jayarajadevi. Princess Indradevi is a woman, scholar, highly cultured and deeply philosophical. She was a professor at a Buddhist pagoda and built an inscription at Phimean Akas about the biography of Jayavarman VII. Jayavarman VII had many good and loyal officials, including the Cham king Vityanon waiting to serve. With all their loyalty, he was able to restore and rebuild the nation.

 

For the Chams who invaded, destroyed and occupied Angkor in 1177, Jayavarman VII decided to take revenge. For many years He lived quietly and patiently. Now it's time to attack. First, he neutralized Dai Viet. He then sent an army under the command of the Cham king named Vityanon to attack the kingdom of Champa. Khmer troops captured Vichey, the capital of Nokor Champa. He raised Prince En to reign in Vichey. Later, the Chams in Vichey rebelled against the Vityanon, conquered, conspired, and declared themselves kings of the entire kingdom of Champa. Unable to bring Vityanon under his command, Jayavarman VII sent troops to defeat Vityanon. Nokor Champa then became a Khmer province for about 17 years. In 1207, Jayavarman VII ordered another Cham king, Apsaraj, to raise an army to attack Dai Viet. During his reign, the Khmer Empire had a very large scope. In all wars, Jayavarman VII was both strict and tolerant of the losers. To everyone, he loves and compassionate, according to the main virtue of Buddhism, compassion.

Jayavarman VII was a staunch adherent of Mahayana Buddhism. He always had compassion according to the teachings of the Buddha. This is the virtue that the king must have to fulfill his royal duties. He always thinks of people in need. He also commissioned the construction of several hospitals throughout the country. An inscription states that there are 102 hospitals. These hospitals have enough medicine and many traditional medicine doctors to treat patients at all levels. Jayavarman VII ordered the construction of many roads across the country, especially from Angkor to Phimai (Phimai today in Thai territory) and from Angkor to Champa. In addition, there are large bridges as well as many inns for travelers and monuments. There are 121 lodges across the country, located on the main road, about 12 to 15 km apart, equal to the distance that pedestrians can walk in 4 or 5 hours. At those lodges, travelers can cook, eat and rest at night. Jayavarman VII was very kind and respectful to his parents. To dedicate to the souls of the two meritorious, he built many temples and monasteries: Ta Prohm, dedicated to his mother, and Preah Khan, dedicated to his father. Compassion, another virtue of Buddhism, enabled him to retain important functions for the Brahmins. The Brahmins continued to live in the palace, still being respected and still having the necessary elite status in organizing Brahmanical ceremonies. Some Brahmins traveled from far away to come and serve him. He was kind, loved the people, and was moved by the suffering and pain of the people. An inscription on his hospital reads: "The sickness of the people afflicted him more than his own."

Jayavarman VII was the most accomplished king. The capital of Angkor was reorganized after the Chams invaded and destroyed it. He built a quadrangular wall around Angkor Thom, 3 km long and 8 m high on each side. Angkor Thom has four gates facing the four directions and a fifth gate called the Victory Gate, which exits to the east corner. Like other Cambodian capitals, this city is surrounded by moats. The Bridge, which crosses the entrance to the temple, has statues of gods and demons dragging dragons on the sides. Phnom Bakheng of Yasovarman is no longer the center of the capital: in the middle of this new compound he built the Bayon temple dedicated to Mahayana Buddhism. Bayon has a total of 54 towers at all levels; each tower has 4 smiling faces. In the galleries, there are sculptures depicting men and women of that time, working in daily life, serving the king or waging war, etc. Bayon temple is the core in the center of the city. Not far from here is Baphuon Temple, there is an old palace decorated with terraces of elephants and terraces of Leper king, and nearby there are 12 towers of Sou Prat temple. Around the city, Jayavarman VII left many artifacts for future generations, such as Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Banteay Kdei with Srah Srang in front, Neak Pean temple in the middle of the reservoir, Ta Som, Krol Ko. The King not only adorned the capital, he built many other structures throughout the country: Wat Nokor (Kampong Cham), Ta Prohm (Tonle Bati), Banteay Chhmar (Banteay Meanchey) and many other temples that are now in Thailand. The construction of the Banteay Chhmar temple, which has beautiful sculptures, may require about 44,000 workers to work for eight years and about 1,000 sculptors to work for 20 years (according to Mr. Chuck Kroly).

He built many temples in addition to the great works of previous monarchs to give the whole of humanity one of the most glorious civilizations known to the world.

 

Ta Som

Ta Som

Ta Som temple was built by the Mahayana Buddhist King Jayavaraman VII at the end of 12^th century, dedicated to Mahayana Buddhism.

Ta Som temple is located east of Neak Pean temple. The temple consists of a single shrine located on one level and surrounded by three enclosure laterite walls. The outer enclosure measures 240 meter in length and 200 meter in width.

Designed to be entered from the east, Ta Som temple is surrounded by a moat and enclosed by three laterite walls which are broken by two sets of gopura (entrance ways). The gopuras are cross-shaped and contain a small room on each side along with windows containing balusters. The main structure of the gopura is carved with four faces in the Bayon style. The eastern outer gopura has been overgrown by a sacred fig (Ficus religiosa) which has grown down through the blocks that make up the gopura and into the ground.

The inner section of the temple consists of a central cruciform sanctuary with porches at each arm surrounded by four corner pavilions. Two small libraries sit on either side of the eastern entrance path.

Gate of the gallery surrounded by two guards and there many images of Buddha statues, Apsara relief and pedestal of Shiva Linga may be left in period 13^th century during the reign of the King Jayavarman VIII.

Jayavarman VII - Supreme King (1181 - c. 1218)            

Jayavarman VII defeated the Chams out of Angkor and built a prosperous nation in all areas, elevating Khmer civilization to the highest level. The battle for territory took four years. King Jayavarman led a fierce battle against the invading Cham army and won a series of victories. He finally received complete victory over the Chams in naval battles on the Tonle Sap Lake. Cambodia was liberated. He was crowned King of Angkor at the age of 46, named Jayavarman VII, after which the Kingdom of Cambodia became prosperous. This king has a wife named Jayarajadevi. Husband and wife love each other very much and are very generous in Buddhism. After Jayarajadevi died, the king married Indradevi, who was the brother of Jayarajadevi. Princess Indradevi is a woman, scholar, highly cultured and deeply philosophical. She was a professor at a Buddhist pagoda and built an inscription at Phimean Akas about the biography of Jayavarman VII. Jayavarman VII had many good and loyal officials, including the Cham king Vityanon waiting to serve. With all their loyalty, he was able to restore and rebuild the nation.

 

For the Chams who invaded, destroyed and occupied Angkor in 1177, Jayavarman VII decided to take revenge. For many years He lived quietly and patiently. Now it's time to attack. First, he neutralized Dai Viet. He then sent an army under the command of the Cham king named Vityanon to attack the kingdom of Champa. Khmer troops captured Vichey, the capital of Nokor Champa. He raised Prince En to reign in Vichey. Later, the Chams in Vichey rebelled against the Vityanon, conquered, conspired, and declared themselves kings of the entire kingdom of Champa. Unable to bring Vityanon under his command, Jayavarman VII sent troops to defeat Vityanon. Nokor Champa then became a Khmer province for about 17 years. In 1207, Jayavarman VII ordered another Cham king, Apsaraj, to raise an army to attack Dai Viet. During his reign, the Khmer Empire had a very large scope. In all wars, Jayavarman VII was both strict and tolerant of the losers. To everyone, he loves and compassionate, according to the main virtue of Buddhism, compassion.

Jayavarman VII was a staunch adherent of Mahayana Buddhism. He always had compassion according to the teachings of the Buddha. This is the virtue that the king must have to fulfill his royal duties. He always thinks of people in need. He also commissioned the construction of several hospitals throughout the country. An inscription states that there are 102 hospitals. These hospitals have enough medicine and many traditional medicine doctors to treat patients at all levels. Jayavarman VII ordered the construction of many roads across the country, especially from Angkor to Phimai (Phimai today in Thai territory) and from Angkor to Champa. In addition, there are large bridges as well as many inns for travelers and monuments. There are 121 lodges across the country, located on the main road, about 12 to 15 km apart, equal to the distance that pedestrians can walk in 4 or 5 hours. At those lodges, travelers can cook, eat and rest at night. Jayavarman VII was very kind and respectful to his parents. To dedicate to the souls of the two meritorious, he built many temples and monasteries: Ta Prohm, dedicated to his mother, and Preah Khan, dedicated to his father. Compassion, another virtue of Buddhism, enabled him to retain important functions for the Brahmins. The Brahmins continued to live in the palace, still being respected and still having the necessary elite status in organizing Brahmanical ceremonies. Some Brahmins traveled from far away to come and serve him. He was kind, loved the people, and was moved by the suffering and pain of the people. An inscription on his hospital reads: "The sickness of the people afflicted him more than his own."

Jayavarman VII was the most accomplished king. The capital of Angkor was reorganized after the Chams invaded and destroyed it. He built a quadrangular wall around Angkor Thom, 3 km long and 8 m high on each side. Angkor Thom has four gates facing the four directions and a fifth gate called the Victory Gate, which exits to the east corner. Like other Cambodian capitals, this city is surrounded by moats. The Bridge, which crosses the entrance to the temple, has statues of gods and demons dragging dragons on the sides. Phnom Bakheng of Yasovarman is no longer the center of the capital: in the middle of this new compound he built the Bayon temple dedicated to Mahayana Buddhism. Bayon has a total of 54 towers at all levels; each tower has 4 smiling faces. In the galleries, there are sculptures depicting men and women of that time, working in daily life, serving the king or waging war, etc. Bayon temple is the core in the center of the city. Not far from here is Baphuon Temple, there is an old palace decorated with terraces of elephants and terraces of Leper king, and nearby there are 12 towers of Sou Prat temple. Around the city, Jayavarman VII left many artifacts for future generations, such as Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Banteay Kdei with Srah Srang in front, Neak Pean temple in the middle of the reservoir, Ta Som, Krol Ko. The King not only adorned the capital, he built many other structures throughout the country: Wat Nokor (Kampong Cham), Ta Prohm (Tonle Bati), Banteay Chhmar (Banteay Meanchey) and many other temples that are now in Thailand. The construction of the Banteay Chhmar temple, which has beautiful sculptures, may require about 44,000 workers to work for eight years and about 1,000 sculptors to work for 20 years (according to Mr. Chuck Kroly).

He built many temples in addition to the great works of previous monarchs to give the whole of humanity one of the most glorious civilizations known to the world.

 

Neak Poan

Neak Poan

Neak Poan temple was built by the Mahayana Buddhist King Jayavaraman VII in the late 12^th century, dedicated to Buddhisatva Avalokitesvara.

Neak Poan temple is located in the centre of Jayatataka Baray, 3.6 kilometres by 930 metres with a storage capacity of 5 million cubic meters to 10 million cubic meters and between Preah Khan temple and Ta Som temple. The access presently is at the north.

Neak Poan temple is derived from the sculptures of two serpents (Naga) entwining around the base of the temple structure. Original name of Neak Poan was Rajasri.

Neak Poan temple was originally designed for medical purposes, it is one of the many hospitals that Jayavarman VII built (the ancients believe that going into these pools would balance the elements in the bather, thus curing diseases).

A central single tower stands a platform of the island and the top of the tower has two upper tiers crowned with an enormous corolla of lotus flowers. There is a door opening to the east and the other three are false doors. The pediments above the doors depicted the life of the Buddha-cutting of hair to the east, the “Grand Departure” to the north, and Buddha (defaced) meditating under the Budhi tree to the west, while the southern tympanum has been defaced.

The shape of a cross situated on an artificial circular island in a large pond. An island is in form of a large square with the man-made pond is 70 metres along each side. Two serpents surround the base of the circular island with their fan opening to the east whereas the tales entwined together at the west. In front of the heads of the serpents there is a horse statue with some images of people are clinging the body.

Surrounding the central pond there are four smaller ponds of 25 metres each side and each of them has got a chamber made of sandstone covered by vaulted roof on  which appear images of a Buddhisattva of Pheysachakuru-the god of herb and healing along the walls of the chambers. But some images were defaced during the period of religious reaction in the mid-13^th century and were modified into the form of a Shiva Linga.

The central pond is a replica of Lake Anavatapta, a mythical lake in the Himalayas situated at top of the universe whose waters are thought to cure all illness. The lake gives the birth to the four great river of the earth. Four chambers surrounding central pond are considered to serve as places for the ablution of the pilgrims who came hoping to be cured of their illness and afflictions. Crouched on a circular lotus base, bearing the imprint of two bare feet and thus elevated symbolically above the level of their physical reality, they showered themselves with water flowing from the gargoyle that was fed from the exterior by a channel. This channel terminates at large pool in a sort of ornamental stone bowl.

Inside the chambers are figures with the head of man on the east wall represented the element earth, a lion on the south represented the element fire, a horse on the west represented the element air, and an elephant on the north represented the element water. All of those heads have water spouts from their mouths.

A statue of horse, Balaha in the central pond is a form of the Buddhisattva Avalokitesvara, saving sailors from the ogresses Tamradvipa. The figures of the merchant Sinhala with his companion appear to be heading towards the sanctuary, as if to safety, (who were rescued from their shipwreck on the island of the Rakshasis (Ceylon)), and fleeing the resident ogresses. The group, hanging from the tail of horse, is remarkable in its composition and craftsmanship.

There are four laterite chambers located in corners near the small ponds at the sub cardinal points and they may be used by the treaters.

Jayavarman VII - Supreme King (1181 - c. 1218)

Jayavarman VII defeated the Chams out of Angkor and built a prosperous nation in all areas, elevating Khmer civilization to the highest level. The battle for territory took four years. King Jayavarman led a fierce battle against the invading Cham army and won a series of victories. He finally received complete victory over the Chams in naval battles on the Tonle Sap Lake. Cambodia was liberated. He was crowned King of Angkor at the age of 46, named Jayavarman VII, after which the Kingdom of Cambodia became prosperous. This king has a wife named Jayarajadevi. Husband and wife love each other very much and are very generous in Buddhism. After Jayarajadevi died, the king married Indradevi, who was the brother of Jayarajadevi. Princess Indradevi is a woman, scholar, highly cultured and deeply philosophical. She was a professor at a Buddhist pagoda and built an inscription at Phimean Akas about the biography of Jayavarman VII. Jayavarman VII had many good and loyal officials, including the Cham king Vityanon waiting to serve. With all their loyalty, he was able to restore and rebuild the nation.

 

For the Chams who invaded, destroyed and occupied Angkor in 1177, Jayavarman VII decided to take revenge. For many years He lived quietly and patiently. Now it's time to attack. First, he neutralized Dai Viet. He then sent an army under the command of the Cham king named Vityanon to attack the kingdom of Champa. Khmer troops captured Vichey, the capital of Nokor Champa. He raised Prince En to reign in Vichey. Later, the Chams in Vichey rebelled against the Vityanon, conquered, conspired, and declared themselves kings of the entire kingdom of Champa. Unable to bring Vityanon under his command, Jayavarman VII sent troops to defeat Vityanon. Nokor Champa then became a Khmer province for about 17 years. In 1207, Jayavarman VII ordered another Cham king, Apsaraj, to raise an army to attack Dai Viet. During his reign, the Khmer Empire had a very large scope. In all wars, Jayavarman VII was both strict and tolerant of the losers. To everyone, he loves and compassionate, according to the main virtue of Buddhism, compassion.

Jayavarman VII was a staunch adherent of Mahayana Buddhism. He always had compassion according to the teachings of the Buddha. This is the virtue that the king must have to fulfill his royal duties. He always thinks of people in need. He also commissioned the construction of several hospitals throughout the country. An inscription states that there are 102 hospitals. These hospitals have enough medicine and many traditional medicine doctors to treat patients at all levels. Jayavarman VII ordered the construction of many roads across the country, especially from Angkor to Phimai (Phimai today in Thai territory) and from Angkor to Champa. In addition, there are large bridges as well as many inns for travelers and monuments. There are 121 lodges across the country, located on the main road, about 12 to 15 km apart, equal to the distance that pedestrians can walk in 4 or 5 hours. At those lodges, travelers can cook, eat and rest at night. Jayavarman VII was very kind and respectful to his parents. To dedicate to the souls of the two meritorious, he built many temples and monasteries: Ta Prohm, dedicated to his mother, and Preah Khan, dedicated to his father. Compassion, another virtue of Buddhism, enabled him to retain important functions for the Brahmins. The Brahmins continued to live in the palace, still being respected and still having the necessary elite status in organizing Brahmanical ceremonies. Some Brahmins traveled from far away to come and serve him. He was kind, loved the people, and was moved by the suffering and pain of the people. An inscription on his hospital reads: "The sickness of the people afflicted him more than his own."

Jayavarman VII was the most accomplished king. The capital of Angkor was reorganized after the Chams invaded and destroyed it. He built a quadrangular wall around Angkor Thom, 3 km long and 8 m high on each side. Angkor Thom has four gates facing the four directions and a fifth gate called the Victory Gate, which exits to the east corner. Like other Cambodian capitals, this city is surrounded by moats. The Bridge, which crosses the entrance to the temple, has statues of gods and demons dragging dragons on the sides. Phnom Bakheng of Yasovarman is no longer the center of the capital: in the middle of this new compound he built the Bayon temple dedicated to Mahayana Buddhism. Bayon has a total of 54 towers at all levels; each tower has 4 smiling faces. In the galleries, there are sculptures depicting men and women of that time, working in daily life, serving the king or waging war, etc. Bayon temple is the core in the center of the city. Not far from here is Baphuon Temple, there is an old palace decorated with terraces of elephants and terraces of Leper king, and nearby there are 12 towers of Sou Prat temple. Around the city, Jayavarman VII left many artifacts for future generations, such as Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Banteay Kdei with Srah Srang in front, Neak Pean temple in the middle of the reservoir, Ta Som, Krol Ko. The King not only adorned the capital, he built many other structures throughout the country: Wat Nokor (Kampong Cham), Ta Prohm (Tonle Bati), Banteay Chhmar (Banteay Meanchey) and many other temples that are now in Thailand. The construction of the Banteay Chhmar temple, which has beautiful sculptures, may require about 44,000 workers to work for eight years and about 1,000 sculptors to work for 20 years (according to Mr. Chuck Kroly).

He built many temples in addition to the great works of previous monarchs to give the whole of humanity one of the most glorious civilizations known to the world.

 

Preah Khan

Preah Khan (1191)

Preah Khan temple was built by the Mahayana Buddhist King Jayavaraman VII in 1191 to honor his father.

Preah Khan temple located to the northeast of Angkor Thom and west of Jayatataka Baray. The temple is flat in design, with a basic plan of successive rectangular galleries around a Buddhist sanctuary.

Preah Khan means Royal Sword and had the original name of Nagara Jayasri (holy city of victory). It was built on the site of Jayavarman VII’s victory over the invading Chams, in 1191.

The outer wall of Preah Khan temple made of laterite and constitutes 72 Garudas holding serpents. Surrounded by a moat, it measures 800 metres by 700 metres enclosing an area of 56 hectares.

The main gate is being east, the other gates at each of other cardinal points. Each entrance has decorative pillar posts along the first pathway. Each post has image of lion on the bottom and on the upper part is the image of Buddha but it was removed by the Hindu iconoclasts in 13^th century.

Both sides of causeway over the moat, you will see the serpents carried by gods and demons. These figures represent a myth of the co-operation of gods and demons churning the ocean of milk and which produced Amrita, the immortality water.

The main entrance being east, on the way from the east gate the inner terrace there is a building of Agni Sala, the holy place of sacred fire.

On the eastern inner side of the second enclosure wall you will see the dancing hall with decoration of Apsara figures dancing on the walls above each door. In the niches above the doors were images of Buddha but most of them were destroyed in the anti-Buddhist reaction under the reign Jayavarman VIII in mid-13^th century. This hall may have been a sacred place used to perform dances whilst hosting a god or a king.

North of Apsara dancing hall, there is a building with round columns. The purpose of this building is unknown but it may have been used as the storage of sacred texts or a sacred sword of the king. The opposite building is remained laterite foundations which may have supported a wooden structure.

In the central tower of sanctuary, there is a stupa formed like an unturned bell. It was placed here since Khmer king defeated Siamese armies and converted the Mahayana Buddhism to Theravada Buddhism as a new state religion. This spot may have placed the statue of Buddhisattva Avalokiteshvara, who honoured to king’s father.

The east door remains the main entry, the other doors will be founded to be narrower, smaller and set lower down in size. The purpose may signify the eastern doorway were used for king while the other doors had to be used by pilgrims and people, showing respect to the god, the king and the king’s father spirit in this sanctuary.

Outside of the west central shrine, there are two buildings on the each side of passage. North building may have been dedicated to Hindu god as some hermits are found in the decorations along the wall and south building may have had a Buddhist function but the Buddha images on the wall were defaced during the religious reaction period in 13^th century.

West of the central shrine, you will also see a Shiva Linga has the shapes of cylindrical on top represents Lord Shiva, octagonal at the middle represents Lord Vishnu and square on the bottom represents Lord Brahma. Besides, there are many other carvings, depicting about Hindu mythologies.

Jayavarman VII - Supreme King (1181 - c. 1218)

Jayavarman VII defeated the Chams out of Angkor and built a prosperous nation in all areas, elevating Khmer civilization to the highest level. The battle for territory took four years. King Jayavarman led a fierce battle against the invading Cham army and won a series of victories. He finally received complete victory over the Chams in naval battles on the Tonle Sap Lake. Cambodia was liberated. He was crowned King of Angkor at the age of 46, named Jayavarman VII, after which the Kingdom of Cambodia became prosperous. This king has a wife named Jayarajadevi. Husband and wife love each other very much and are very generous in Buddhism. After Jayarajadevi died, the king married Indradevi, who was the brother of Jayarajadevi. Princess Indradevi is a woman, scholar, highly cultured and deeply philosophical. She was a professor at a Buddhist pagoda and built an inscription at Phimean Akas about the biography of Jayavarman VII. Jayavarman VII had many good and loyal officials, including the Cham king Vityanon waiting to serve. With all their loyalty, he was able to restore and rebuild the nation.

 

For the Chams who invaded, destroyed and occupied Angkor in 1177, Jayavarman VII decided to take revenge. For many years He lived quietly and patiently. Now it's time to attack. First, he neutralized Dai Viet. He then sent an army under the command of the Cham king named Vityanon to attack the kingdom of Champa. Khmer troops captured Vichey, the capital of Nokor Champa. He raised Prince En to reign in Vichey. Later, the Chams in Vichey rebelled against the Vityanon, conquered, conspired, and declared themselves kings of the entire kingdom of Champa. Unable to bring Vityanon under his command, Jayavarman VII sent troops to defeat Vityanon. Nokor Champa then became a Khmer province for about 17 years. In 1207, Jayavarman VII ordered another Cham king, Apsaraj, to raise an army to attack Dai Viet. During his reign, the Khmer Empire had a very large scope. In all wars, Jayavarman VII was both strict and tolerant of the losers. To everyone, he loves and compassionate, according to the main virtue of Buddhism, compassion.

Jayavarman VII was a staunch adherent of Mahayana Buddhism. He always had compassion according to the teachings of the Buddha. This is the virtue that the king must have to fulfill his royal duties. He always thinks of people in need. He also commissioned the construction of several hospitals throughout the country. An inscription states that there are 102 hospitals. These hospitals have enough medicine and many traditional medicine doctors to treat patients at all levels. Jayavarman VII ordered the construction of many roads across the country, especially from Angkor to Phimai (Phimai today in Thai territory) and from Angkor to Champa. In addition, there are large bridges as well as many inns for travelers and monuments. There are 121 lodges across the country, located on the main road, about 12 to 15 km apart, equal to the distance that pedestrians can walk in 4 or 5 hours. At those lodges, travelers can cook, eat and rest at night. Jayavarman VII was very kind and respectful to his parents. To dedicate to the souls of the two meritorious, he built many temples and monasteries: Ta Prohm, dedicated to his mother, and Preah Khan, dedicated to his father. Compassion, another virtue of Buddhism, enabled him to retain important functions for the Brahmins. The Brahmins continued to live in the palace, still being respected and still having the necessary elite status in organizing Brahmanical ceremonies. Some Brahmins traveled from far away to come and serve him. He was kind, loved the people, and was moved by the suffering and pain of the people. An inscription on his hospital reads: "The sickness of the people afflicted him more than his own."

Jayavarman VII was the most accomplished king. The capital of Angkor was reorganized after the Chams invaded and destroyed it. He built a quadrangular wall around Angkor Thom, 3 km long and 8 m high on each side. Angkor Thom has four gates facing the four directions and a fifth gate called the Victory Gate, which exits to the east corner. Like other Cambodian capitals, this city is surrounded by moats. The Bridge, which crosses the entrance to the temple, has statues of gods and demons dragging dragons on the sides. Phnom Bakheng of Yasovarman is no longer the center of the capital: in the middle of this new compound he built the Bayon temple dedicated to Mahayana Buddhism. Bayon has a total of 54 towers at all levels; each tower has 4 smiling faces. In the galleries, there are sculptures depicting men and women of that time, working in daily life, serving the king or waging war, etc. Bayon temple is the core in the center of the city. Not far from here is Baphuon Temple, there is an old palace decorated with terraces of elephants and terraces of Leper king, and nearby there are 12 towers of Sou Prat temple. Around the city, Jayavarman VII left many artifacts for future generations, such as Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Banteay Kdei with Srah Srang in front, Neak Pean temple in the middle of the reservoir, Ta Som, Krol Ko. The King not only adorned the capital, he built many other structures throughout the country: Wat Nokor (Kampong Cham), Ta Prohm (Tonle Bati), Banteay Chhmar (Banteay Meanchey) and many other temples that are now in Thailand. The construction of the Banteay Chhmar temple, which has beautiful sculptures, may require about 44,000 workers to work for eight years and about 1,000 sculptors to work for 20 years (according to Mr. Chuck Kroly).

He built many temples in addition to the great works of previous monarchs to give the whole of humanity one of the most glorious civilizations known to the world.

 

Ta Nei

Ta Nei

Ta Nei temple is a late 12th century temple in Angkor. Built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII, it is near the northwest corner of the East Baray, a large holy reservoir. It was dedicated to the Mahayana Buddhism.

Ta Nei temple was extended initially toward the east and then enlarged with three small gopuras on the north, west and south and a large east gopura that is essentially a part of the inner, galleried enclosure. As at Ta Prohm temple, city walls were begun but were probably never finished. Today only two outer gopuras exist to the west and east.

The length of the urban enclosure was 190m. Inside are two long, narrow tank moats on the north and south. The original east gopura now stands isolated, and the original northeast and southeast corner towers are now part of the gallery.

There is a small library near the south side and a chamber connects the sanctuary to the north gopura.

Jayavarman VII - Supreme King (1181 - c. 1218)

Jayavarman VII defeated the Chams out of Angkor and built a prosperous nation in all areas, elevating Khmer civilization to the highest level. The battle for territory took four years. King Jayavarman led a fierce battle against the invading Cham army and won a series of victories. He finally received complete victory over the Chams in naval battles on the Tonle Sap Lake. Cambodia was liberated. He was crowned King of Angkor at the age of 46, named Jayavarman VII, after which the Kingdom of Cambodia became prosperous. This king has a wife named Jayarajadevi. Husband and wife love each other very much and are very generous in Buddhism. After Jayarajadevi died, the king married Indradevi, who was the brother of Jayarajadevi. Princess Indradevi is a woman, scholar, highly cultured and deeply philosophical. She was a professor at a Buddhist pagoda and built an inscription at Phimean Akas about the biography of Jayavarman VII. Jayavarman VII had many good and loyal officials, including the Cham king Vityanon waiting to serve. With all their loyalty, he was able to restore and rebuild the nation.

 

For the Chams who invaded, destroyed and occupied Angkor in 1177, Jayavarman VII decided to take revenge. For many years He lived quietly and patiently. Now it's time to attack. First, he neutralized Dai Viet. He then sent an army under the command of the Cham king named Vityanon to attack the kingdom of Champa. Khmer troops captured Vichey, the capital of Nokor Champa. He raised Prince En to reign in Vichey. Later, the Chams in Vichey rebelled against the Vityanon, conquered, conspired, and declared themselves kings of the entire kingdom of Champa. Unable to bring Vityanon under his command, Jayavarman VII sent troops to defeat Vityanon. Nokor Champa then became a Khmer province for about 17 years. In 1207, Jayavarman VII ordered another Cham king, Apsaraj, to raise an army to attack Dai Viet. During his reign, the Khmer Empire had a very large scope. In all wars, Jayavarman VII was both strict and tolerant of the losers. To everyone, he loves and compassionate, according to the main virtue of Buddhism, compassion.

Jayavarman VII was a staunch adherent of Mahayana Buddhism. He always had compassion according to the teachings of the Buddha. This is the virtue that the king must have to fulfill his royal duties. He always thinks of people in need. He also commissioned the construction of several hospitals throughout the country. An inscription states that there are 102 hospitals. These hospitals have enough medicine and many traditional medicine doctors to treat patients at all levels. Jayavarman VII ordered the construction of many roads across the country, especially from Angkor to Phimai (Phimai today in Thai territory) and from Angkor to Champa. In addition, there are large bridges as well as many inns for travelers and monuments. There are 121 lodges across the country, located on the main road, about 12 to 15 km apart, equal to the distance that pedestrians can walk in 4 or 5 hours. At those lodges, travelers can cook, eat and rest at night. Jayavarman VII was very kind and respectful to his parents. To dedicate to the souls of the two meritorious, he built many temples and monasteries: Ta Prohm, dedicated to his mother, and Preah Khan, dedicated to his father. Compassion, another virtue of Buddhism, enabled him to retain important functions for the Brahmins. The Brahmins continued to live in the palace, still being respected and still having the necessary elite status in organizing Brahmanical ceremonies. Some Brahmins traveled from far away to come and serve him. He was kind, loved the people, and was moved by the suffering and pain of the people. An inscription on his hospital reads: "The sickness of the people afflicted him more than his own."

Jayavarman VII was the most accomplished king. The capital of Angkor was reorganized after the Chams invaded and destroyed it. He built a quadrangular wall around Angkor Thom, 3 km long and 8 m high on each side. Angkor Thom has four gates facing the four directions and a fifth gate called the Victory Gate, which exits to the east corner. Like other Cambodian capitals, this city is surrounded by moats. The Bridge, which crosses the entrance to the temple, has statues of gods and demons dragging dragons on the sides. Phnom Bakheng of Yasovarman is no longer the center of the capital: in the middle of this new compound he built the Bayon temple dedicated to Mahayana Buddhism. Bayon has a total of 54 towers at all levels; each tower has 4 smiling faces. In the galleries, there are sculptures depicting men and women of that time, working in daily life, serving the king or waging war, etc. Bayon temple is the core in the center of the city. Not far from here is Baphuon Temple, there is an old palace decorated with terraces of elephants and terraces of Leper king, and nearby there are 12 towers of Sou Prat temple. Around the city, Jayavarman VII left many artifacts for future generations, such as Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Banteay Kdei with Srah Srang in front, Neak Pean temple in the middle of the reservoir, Ta Som, Krol Ko. The King not only adorned the capital, he built many other structures throughout the country: Wat Nokor (Kampong Cham), Ta Prohm (Tonle Bati), Banteay Chhmar (Banteay Meanchey) and many other temples that are now in Thailand. The construction of the Banteay Chhmar temple, which has beautiful sculptures, may require about 44,000 workers to work for eight years and about 1,000 sculptors to work for 20 years (according to Mr. Chuck Kroly).

He built many temples in addition to the great works of previous monarchs to give the whole of humanity one of the most glorious civilizations known to the world.

 

Ta Prohm

Ta Prohm (1186)

Ta Prohm temple was founded by the Mahayana Buddhist King Jayavaraman VII in 1186 A.D. and dedicated to his mother under the posthumous name Brajnabaramita “the perfect of wisdom”.

Approximately 1 kilometres east of Angkor Thom and north-west of Banteay Kdei temple, Ta Prohm has five rectangular enclosing walls surround a central sanctuary. The outer wall is 1000 by 800 metres and a moat was constructed inside and next to the second enclosure wall.

Rajavihara was the original name of the temple. Beside the dedication to his mother Ta Prohm also has some annex buildings dedicated to the king’s guru and to his brother respectively. Moreover, the temple served as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university.

A Sanskrit stone inscription tells us; Ta Prohm temple had 3,140 villages. It took 79,365 people to maintain the temple including 18 great priests, 2,740 officials, 2,202 assistants and 615 dancers. Among the property belonging to the temple was a set of golden dishes weighing more than 500 kilograms, 35 diamonds, 40,620 pearls, 4,540 precious stones, 876 veils from China, 512 silk beds and 523 parasols. Even considering that these numbers were probably exaggerated to glorify the King, Ta Prohm temple must have been an important and impressive monument.

The temple has four gates at the cardinal points. Those gateways are crowned with four faces .The main entrance being east, on the way from the east gate the inner terrace there is a building of Agni Sala, the holy place of sacred fire and in the inner terrace of the second enclosure wall you will see the dancing hall.

There are some narrative bas-reliefs, which tell parts of Buddha life-story, were carved along the wall and the pediments of the temple and these add greatly to its interest.

Ta Prohm temple has carved images of Buddha, sitting in meditation, in frames on the top stones and which decorated the outer enclosure wall. Such carvings were also made along the wall of galleries and on columns that support the roof however; these were destroyed by Hindu iconoclasts following the death of King Jayavarman VII in the mid-13 century.

The central sanctuary has undecorated interior and there are many holes in the wall, from floor to ceiling, which suggest a covering of stucco or metal may once have been in place and brighten the inside of  the shrine. Once, this sanctuary held a statue to Brajnabaramita, the name of a female Buddha which represented the mother of the king Jayavarman VII.

The first step restoration project of the Dancing Hall started 2011-2015, during the excavations a large sandstone Buddha, protected by a serpent, some 3.6m high and 1.2m wide was discovered under the tree root , and 100g of a golden crown was also discovered close to the building as well.

Jayavarman VII - Supreme King (1181 - c. 1218)

Jayavarman VII defeated the Chams out of Angkor and built a prosperous nation in all areas, elevating Khmer civilization to the highest level. The battle for territory took four years. King Jayavarman led a fierce battle against the invading Cham army and won a series of victories. He finally received complete victory over the Chams in naval battles on the Tonle Sap Lake. Cambodia was liberated. He was crowned King of Angkor at the age of 46, named Jayavarman VII, after which the Kingdom of Cambodia became prosperous. This king has a wife named Jayarajadevi. Husband and wife love each other very much and are very generous in Buddhism. After Jayarajadevi died, the king married Indradevi, who was the brother of Jayarajadevi. Princess Indradevi is a woman, scholar, highly cultured and deeply philosophical. She was a professor at a Buddhist pagoda and built an inscription at Phimean Akas about the biography of Jayavarman VII. Jayavarman VII had many good and loyal officials, including the Cham king Vityanon waiting to serve. With all their loyalty, he was able to restore and rebuild the nation.

 

For the Chams who invaded, destroyed and occupied Angkor in 1177, Jayavarman VII decided to take revenge. For many years He lived quietly and patiently. Now it's time to attack. First, he neutralized Dai Viet. He then sent an army under the command of the Cham king named Vityanon to attack the kingdom of Champa. Khmer troops captured Vichey, the capital of Nokor Champa. He raised Prince En to reign in Vichey. Later, the Chams in Vichey rebelled against the Vityanon, conquered, conspired, and declared themselves kings of the entire kingdom of Champa. Unable to bring Vityanon under his command, Jayavarman VII sent troops to defeat Vityanon. Nokor Champa then became a Khmer province for about 17 years. In 1207, Jayavarman VII ordered another Cham king, Apsaraj, to raise an army to attack Dai Viet. During his reign, the Khmer Empire had a very large scope. In all wars, Jayavarman VII was both strict and tolerant of the losers. To everyone, he loves and compassionate, according to the main virtue of Buddhism, compassion.

Jayavarman VII was a staunch adherent of Mahayana Buddhism. He always had compassion according to the teachings of the Buddha. This is the virtue that the king must have to fulfill his royal duties. He always thinks of people in need. He also commissioned the construction of several hospitals throughout the country. An inscription states that there are 102 hospitals. These hospitals have enough medicine and many traditional medicine doctors to treat patients at all levels. Jayavarman VII ordered the construction of many roads across the country, especially from Angkor to Phimai (Phimai today in Thai territory) and from Angkor to Champa. In addition, there are large bridges as well as many inns for travelers and monuments. There are 121 lodges across the country, located on the main road, about 12 to 15 km apart, equal to the distance that pedestrians can walk in 4 or 5 hours. At those lodges, travelers can cook, eat and rest at night. Jayavarman VII was very kind and respectful to his parents. To dedicate to the souls of the two meritorious, he built many temples and monasteries: Ta Prohm, dedicated to his mother, and Preah Khan, dedicated to his father. Compassion, another virtue of Buddhism, enabled him to retain important functions for the Brahmins. The Brahmins continued to live in the palace, still being respected and still having the necessary elite status in organizing Brahmanical ceremonies. Some Brahmins traveled from far away to come and serve him. He was kind, loved the people, and was moved by the suffering and pain of the people. An inscription on his hospital reads: "The sickness of the people afflicted him more than his own."

Jayavarman VII was the most accomplished king. The capital of Angkor was reorganized after the Chams invaded and destroyed it. He built a quadrangular wall around Angkor Thom, 3 km long and 8 m high on each side. Angkor Thom has four gates facing the four directions and a fifth gate called the Victory Gate, which exits to the east corner. Like other Cambodian capitals, this city is surrounded by moats. The Bridge, which crosses the entrance to the temple, has statues of gods and demons dragging dragons on the sides. Phnom Bakheng of Yasovarman is no longer the center of the capital: in the middle of this new compound he built the Bayon temple dedicated to Mahayana Buddhism. Bayon has a total of 54 towers at all levels; each tower has 4 smiling faces. In the galleries, there are sculptures depicting men and women of that time, working in daily life, serving the king or waging war, etc. Bayon temple is the core in the center of the city. Not far from here is Baphuon Temple, there is an old palace decorated with terraces of elephants and terraces of Leper king, and nearby there are 12 towers of Sou Prat temple. Around the city, Jayavarman VII left many artifacts for future generations, such as Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Banteay Kdei with Srah Srang in front, Neak Pean temple in the middle of the reservoir, Ta Som, Krol Ko. The King not only adorned the capital, he built many other structures throughout the country: Wat Nokor (Kampong Cham), Ta Prohm (Tonle Bati), Banteay Chhmar (Banteay Meanchey) and many other temples that are now in Thailand. The construction of the Banteay Chhmar temple, which has beautiful sculptures, may require about 44,000 workers to work for eight years and about 1,000 sculptors to work for 20 years (according to Mr. Chuck Kroly).

He built many temples in addition to the great works of previous monarchs to give the whole of humanity one of the most glorious civilizations known to the world.

 

Suor Prat

Suor Prat

Sour Prat temple is a series of twelve towers spanning north to south lining the eastern side of a royal square in Angkor Thom. The towers are made from rugged laterite and sandstone. They are right in front of Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King, flanking the start of the road leading east to the Victory Gate, on either side of which they are symmetrically arranged. Their function remains unknown.

The current tower's name in Khmer means "The towers of the tightrope dancers," a romantic idea derived from the local belief that they were used to support a high wire stretched between them for acrobatics during royal festivals. This belief, however, is irrelevant. Zhou Daguan describes in his records that the towers are used to settle disputes among Angkorian people.

When two men dispute over some unknown matter, each of the contestants is forced to sit in one of them while the relatives stand watch at the base. After three or four days, he who is wrong shows it by suffering some illness - ulcers, or catarrh, or malignant fever - while the other remains in perfect health. Thus right or wrong is determined by what is called 'divine judgement'. [The Custom Cambodia, Zhou Daguan was a Chinese diplomat. He arrived at Angkor in August 1296 and remained at the court of King Indravarman III until July 1297.]

Jayavarman VII - Supreme King (1181 - c. 1218)

Jayavarman VII defeated the Chams out of Angkor and built a prosperous nation in all areas, elevating Khmer civilization to the highest level. The battle for territory took four years. King Jayavarman led a fierce battle against the invading Cham army and won a series of victories. He finally received complete victory over the Chams in naval battles on the Tonle Sap Lake. Cambodia was liberated. He was crowned King of Angkor at the age of 46, named Jayavarman VII, after which the Kingdom of Cambodia became prosperous. This king has a wife named Jayarajadevi. Husband and wife love each other very much and are very generous in Buddhism. After Jayarajadevi died, the king married Indradevi, who was the brother of Jayarajadevi. Princess Indradevi is a woman, scholar, highly cultured and deeply philosophical. She was a professor at a Buddhist pagoda and built an inscription at Phimean Akas about the biography of Jayavarman VII. Jayavarman VII had many good and loyal officials, including the Cham king Vityanon waiting to serve. With all their loyalty, he was able to restore and rebuild the nation.

 

For the Chams who invaded, destroyed and occupied Angkor in 1177, Jayavarman VII decided to take revenge. For many years He lived quietly and patiently. Now it's time to attack. First, he neutralized Dai Viet. He then sent an army under the command of the Cham king named Vityanon to attack the kingdom of Champa. Khmer troops captured Vichey, the capital of Nokor Champa. He raised Prince En to reign in Vichey. Later, the Chams in Vichey rebelled against the Vityanon, conquered, conspired, and declared themselves kings of the entire kingdom of Champa. Unable to bring Vityanon under his command, Jayavarman VII sent troops to defeat Vityanon. Nokor Champa then became a Khmer province for about 17 years. In 1207, Jayavarman VII ordered another Cham king, Apsaraj, to raise an army to attack Dai Viet. During his reign, the Khmer Empire had a very large scope. In all wars, Jayavarman VII was both strict and tolerant of the losers. To everyone, he loves and compassionate, according to the main virtue of Buddhism, compassion.

Jayavarman VII was a staunch adherent of Mahayana Buddhism. He always had compassion according to the teachings of the Buddha. This is the virtue that the king must have to fulfill his royal duties. He always thinks of people in need. He also commissioned the construction of several hospitals throughout the country. An inscription states that there are 102 hospitals. These hospitals have enough medicine and many traditional medicine doctors to treat patients at all levels. Jayavarman VII ordered the construction of many roads across the country, especially from Angkor to Phimai (Phimai today in Thai territory) and from Angkor to Champa. In addition, there are large bridges as well as many inns for travelers and monuments. There are 121 lodges across the country, located on the main road, about 12 to 15 km apart, equal to the distance that pedestrians can walk in 4 or 5 hours. At those lodges, travelers can cook, eat and rest at night. Jayavarman VII was very kind and respectful to his parents. To dedicate to the souls of the two meritorious, he built many temples and monasteries: Ta Prohm, dedicated to his mother, and Preah Khan, dedicated to his father. Compassion, another virtue of Buddhism, enabled him to retain important functions for the Brahmins. The Brahmins continued to live in the palace, still being respected and still having the necessary elite status in organizing Brahmanical ceremonies. Some Brahmins traveled from far away to come and serve him. He was kind, loved the people, and was moved by the suffering and pain of the people. An inscription on his hospital reads: "The sickness of the people afflicted him more than his own."

Jayavarman VII was the most accomplished king. The capital of Angkor was reorganized after the Chams invaded and destroyed it. He built a quadrangular wall around Angkor Thom, 3 km long and 8 m high on each side. Angkor Thom has four gates facing the four directions and a fifth gate called the Victory Gate, which exits to the east corner. Like other Cambodian capitals, this city is surrounded by moats. The Bridge, which crosses the entrance to the temple, has statues of gods and demons dragging dragons on the sides. Phnom Bakheng of Yasovarman is no longer the center of the capital: in the middle of this new compound he built the Bayon temple dedicated to Mahayana Buddhism. Bayon has a total of 54 towers at all levels; each tower has 4 smiling faces. In the galleries, there are sculptures depicting men and women of that time, working in daily life, serving the king or waging war, etc. Bayon temple is the core in the center of the city. Not far from here is Baphuon Temple, there is an old palace decorated with terraces of elephants and terraces of Leper king, and nearby there are 12 towers of Sou Prat temple. Around the city, Jayavarman VII left many artifacts for future generations, such as Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Banteay Kdei with Srah Srang in front, Neak Pean temple in the middle of the reservoir, Ta Som, Krol Ko. The King not only adorned the capital, he built many other structures throughout the country: Wat Nokor (Kampong Cham), Ta Prohm (Tonle Bati), Banteay Chhmar (Banteay Meanchey) and many other temples that are now in Thailand. The construction of the Banteay Chhmar temple, which has beautiful sculptures, may require about 44,000 workers to work for eight years and about 1,000 sculptors to work for 20 years (according to Mr. Chuck Kroly).

He built many temples in addition to the great works of previous monarchs to give the whole of humanity one of the most glorious civilizations known to the world.