Ancient Megastructures - Angkor Wat : Towering Monument to Hindu God Vishnu Angkor Wat, Cambodia (1113 - 1145 CE) Hidden deep in the impenetrable jungle of Cambodia, the mighty temple of Angkor Wat is a humbling representation of the Hindu universe. A usurper king who seizes the throne by murdering his great uncle, King Suryavarman II seeks to justify his absolute power over the enormous Khmer Empire with a towering monument to Hindu god Vishnu. Angkor Wat will also serve as the new kings personal mausoleum, and be his personal heaven for the afterlife. Suryavarmans vision is one of staggering ambition. The largest of the five huge towers soars 65 meters into the sky, surrounded by a network of concentric courtyards, causeways and outbuildings, all guarded by an enormous 200 meter wide moat. Experts estimate workers must cut and transport at least 300 blocks of sandstone weighing from three to fifteen tonnes every day to ensure the temple is finished in Suryavarmans lifetime. Completed in a staggering thirty-five years, Angkor Wat, remains one of the largest and awe-inspiring religious monuments ever built. youtu.be/nTsL1jjkqcM
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 03:54:09 +0000
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