Angkor Wat
អង្គរវត្ត (Ângkôr Vôtt)
Also known as: Angkor Vat, City Temple
Religions: Hinduism, Buddhism | Place Type: Temple | Region: Asia | UNESCO World Heritage Site
Overview
Angkor Wat is the world's largest religious monument, located in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Built in the early 12th century as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, it gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple from the late 13th century onward and remains an active center of worship today. The temple complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and appears on Cambodia's national flag.
Present
Angkor Wat is managed by the APSARA National Authority — the Cambodian government body responsible for the research, protection, and conservation of the Angkor Archaeological Park — established in 1995 and employing over 3,000 staff. Active Buddhist worship continues with resident monks at the site. Commercial activities are prohibited inside the monument to avoid interference with religious practices.
Conservation work is ongoing and international in scope. In January 2024, the World Monuments Fund transferred management of three long-running conservation projects within the park — including the Churning of the Ocean of Milk Gallery inside Angkor Wat — to the APSARA National Authority, marking a significant step in local stewardship of the site. Structural concerns related to groundwater levels and the impact of tourism on the fabric of the monuments remain active challenges. In 2012, Angkor Wat and Borobudur in Indonesia became formally linked as sister sites.
Religious Significance
Hinduism
Angkor Wat was built as a state temple dedicated to Vishnu, one of the principal deities in Hinduism, regarded as the preserver and protector of the universe. The temple's five central towers represent the peaks of Mount Meru, which Hindu tradition holds to be the dwelling place of the gods. Extensive bas-reliefs depict scenes from the Hindu epics the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, and most prominently the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, a Hindu creation narrative. The temple was also intended as King Suryavarman II's mausoleum.
Buddhism
Angkor Wat gradually transitioned to Buddhist use from the late 13th century onward. Buddhist statues and artwork were added while the original Hindu architecture and imagery were retained, making it a rare site where both traditions are visibly present. Today resident monks live and meditate at the temple. During the Vesak festival — which commemorates the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and passing — thousands of monks in saffron robes lead processions through the complex.
History & Structure
Angkor Wat was built between 1113 and 1150 CE by King Suryavarman II as the state temple of the Khmer Empire. It is oriented westward rather than east, unusually for Angkorian temples, in alignment with funerary traditions. Construction was extensive but never fully completed. The temple transitioned to Buddhist use from the late 13th century while retaining its Hindu architecture. Though Angkor later ceased to function as a capital, Angkor Wat was never fully abandoned and remained in continuous religious use.
The French naturalist Henri Mouhot visited the site in 1860 and brought it to wider international attention through his published writings. The Khmer Rouge occupied the area during Cambodia's civil war in the 1970s, causing some damage — bullet holes remain visible on outer walls. UNESCO designated Angkor Wat a World Heritage Site in 1992, initially listing it as endangered but removing that designation in 2004 following restoration work.
Resources
- Wikipedia: Angkor Wat