Faces of Siem Reap
- The Mohiles'
- Aug 6, 2018
- 2 min read
Today, we went to Angkor Thom (The Great City) surrounded by walls for 7.5 miles. It was built by King Jayavarman VII in the 12th century. It was the capital of the Khmer empire until the 15th century. King Jayavarman VII was a Buddhist and there are many Buddhas but there are also strong Hindu influences.
The pictures below are from Bayon. It has 217 smiling stone faces, carved into 50 towers. Today, there's only 37 towers. There is controversy because we don't know who the faces are. It could be Lokeshvara, Jayavarman himself or as the locals believe, it could be Brahma (they call him Prohm).
This is the South Gate of Angkor Thom. The road entering the south gate is lined by 54 devas (gods) and 54 asuras (demons) representing the Hindu myth- churning of the sea of the milk. It is the best conserved of the gates.
We hired a guide and he took really interesting and creative panoramic pictures. But he used Mom's new iphone which already takes blurry pictures.
At the end of the tour when mom paid him- he said "Where's my tip, I took good pictures for you". Mom thought he was joking. We didn't.
He also took this picture of Simi.
Here are some of the engravings that are preserved. The temples have many engravings of apsaras (angels).
The temples have monkeys running around.
Here are some more temples in the complex.
In the evening, ,we went to see a sunset and we tried some panoramas ourselves. How are there 3 Simis in this picture?
And two Kirins?
This is the sunset view from temple, overlooking the Tonle Sap lake and all the flooded rice fields.
A post of Angkor Wat to come!
oh it was your nani amma who posted on your blog. forgot to write it and I miss you all very much. Love you all--nani amma
Hello Kirin and Simran we have been reading all your blogs and following your updates on facebook. it is been fun to read all about your journey journals. kirin, you have done an amazing job in describing all the places you have been visiting--especially the huge temple and thrilled to see lord shiva dieities.
Simran I just watched your Budha meditation poses. it is very educating and I need to incorporate them in my daily life. so good to hear your voice. supriya and Nimish we are looking forward to see you when you arrive at Rochester .
Simi, Kirin, Supi and Nimish
Your Nani Ama, Nanu or Mom and Dad have been closely following your blog and are so amazed with your writings, explanations and keeping us up to date on your travel destinations, adventures with precise details. It is done so professionally and we are sure all the readers appreciate the time you have all taken to keep us all updated in a timely manner. We are missing you in Rochester as this is the longest we have been away from Simi and Kirin. We can't wait to see you when you return in a week or so.
With Love,
Surekha & OP Gupta
Seriously? I can't stop laughing and I don't know where to start? :) OK...I'll take a shot. It started with the life-sized picture of Simi staring at the face! Too much. Then it continued with your mom's blurry pics and her phone. The last phone took awful pics and she upgraded to the 10! What on earth is going on here! :) Then, your mom doesn't tip the guide!!! Mohiles....! Do I need to wire you money? Not sure the blurry pics justify the tip though. I liked the three simis and two kirins. It's like the Shining. Ask your parents if you don't know. If they don't know, ask Nandita. Thanks for making me laugh! Be good to your…