Angkor Wat is approaching being 1000 years old. Built as a Hindu temple complex, it is the largest religious monument in the world. Although built by King Suryavarman II as his state temple and dedicated to Vishnu, and eventually becoming Suryavarman's mausoleum, within 200 years the legend was that Indra had commanded the temple to be built as a palace for his son and construction was completed in one night by a divine architect. It also moved from Hindu to Buddhist use around the same time. By the end of the 16th century, it had been mostly abandoned to the jungle. Fortunately, its moat provided some amount of protection, and it was never completely overrun by vegetation. The site went through considerable restoration during the 20th century and is now a major tourist attraction in Cambodia.
I like how the forest has grown into it. Just look at those massive roots!
ReplyDeleteThat place looks awesome from above!
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard of this places. Awesome images! This is going to be a fun theme!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful yet creepy, cool place to visit.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad that I only recognize that place from the movie Tomb Raider...lol.
ReplyDeleteVery cool looking, though.
Amazing how the trees have grown around, through, and on top of it.
ReplyDeleteDid I read that right? One night??
ReplyDeleteWhat a truly beautiful structure. I'm trying to think of anything I've personally seen that is old. All that comes to mind are the buildings I visited while living in Europe. That doesn't come close to 1000 years. Amazing.
Elsie
AJ's wHooligan in the A-Z Challenge
I'm in awe of the fine work done. One night though? It's taken 6 months and my deck is still only half done.
ReplyDeleteIf only Rusty's deck can last as long as Angkor Wat, right? Wasn't this part of an Indiana Jones movie?
ReplyDeleteIt's such an awesome place.... going to have to consider Cambodia in the possible places my boss might be able to send us in the future, haha (anywhere but Hong Kong, please!) Great first post~ I'm looking forward to the rest!
ReplyDeleteThis reminds of a place used in that Disney movie Operation Dumbo Drop. It's fascinating.
ReplyDeleteNever been there personally, know several people who have. Didn't remember the trees from their pictures. Fun topic Andrew. Will look forward to the rest.
ReplyDeleteNice building and I enjoyed the trees and things. Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool theme! I've seen this fantastic place in documentaries, and I love all your pics. They're amazing! :)
ReplyDeleteOh wow! I had no idea that place even existed! I'd love to go see it someday.
ReplyDeleteI read about that place recently on the Chubby Chatterbox blog when he visited there.
ReplyDeleteWOW! Those are some pictures! Those roots are just amazing!
ReplyDeleteThat picture of the giant tree overgrowing it is amazing! I'd love to visit this place!
ReplyDeleteTina @ Life is Good
A to Z Team @ Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014
Absa lootly fascinating...I love your theme!
ReplyDeleteAhh!!! I LOVE THOSE TREES. Did I mention I'm a little bit of a tree freak? They were one of the things I grew up drawing like crazy...well, those and unicorns. There's something so magical about an ancient tree...and the ruins it sits on. =)
ReplyDeleteAnne: I know! It's like someone poured molten tree over the buildings.
ReplyDeleteVeronica: It does. Like bones...
Donna: I hope it will be.
Sheena: Yeah, I'd love to visit it.
Mark: Is this where they filmed that bit? I don't remember. Great, now I'll have to look it up.
Alex C: It is. Like what I said in my response to Anne.
Elsie: Yeah, that's what the legend said.
I have seen nothing built by mine that is that old.
Rusty: Well, you just need help from a divine architect.
Briane: I don't know. I think the bits that I think you're talking about were filmed in Central America. I could be wrong about that. Great! Another thing I have to go check!
Alex H: What, you don't have your gas mask ready? And hazmat suit?
I wish I could get my boss to send me places... oh, wait, that would be me. Darn!
Susan: I have not seen that movie.
I've always been fascinated by this place and simply love the pictures. I can already tell this is an A to Z I'm going to gladly follow!
ReplyDeleteJo: I don't even know anyone who's been there.
ReplyDeleteGlenda: Sure. Thanks for coming by.
Lexa: I wish they were -my- pics.
AJC: Me, too!
Pat: Cool...
Cathy: They are!
Tina: I agree!
ADSL: I'm hoping to pick up some new words from yours.
Crystal: Trees and cheese. What an odd combination.
Growing up in LA, I am familiar with weird looking trees.
randi: Well, I will gladly let you.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading about that place in college! :)
ReplyDeleteDavid: I don't remember studying it in college, but I did study it in high school.
ReplyDeleteI usually think of abandoned places as decrepit in someway, not beautiful like that place. Those trees slowly engulfing it are amazing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteSue Ann Bowling
Homecoming Blog
Stormy's Sidekick
Blogging from A to Z April Challenge
Jeanne: Oh, there will be some of those, too.
ReplyDeletehomecomingbook: Thanks.
Wow! I would love to go at night! I bet it is spooky!
ReplyDeleteDavid: I bet it is. That would be cool.
ReplyDeleteThis is a cool theme. Loved the pic of the eerie looking tree growing.
ReplyDeleteAmazing how places like this have survived.
ReplyDeleteLee
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
G_G: It's a cool picture.
ReplyDeleteLee: I know! But many of them didn't.