The
temple complex of Angkor
Gopura or entry towers
Information
24-Aug-2005
Last Edited
"Nor does it seem that Seller's "code" is confined to mythology. In
the jungles of Kampuchea the temple complex of Angkor looks as it could have
been purpose-built as a precessional metaphor. It has, for example,
five gates to each of which leads a road bridging the crocodile-infested
moat that surrounds the whole site. Each of these roads is bordered by
a row of gigantic stone figures, 108 per avenue, 54 on each side (540
statues in all) and each row carries a huge Naga serpent. Furthermore,
as Santillana and von Dechend point out in Hamlet's Mill, the
figures do not 'carry' the serpent but are shown to 'pull' it, which
indicates that these 540 statues are 'churning the Milky Ocean'. The
whole of Angkor 'thus turns out to be a colossal model set up with true
Hindu fantasy and incongruousness' to express the idea of precession."
- pages 260-261
Photo Gallery 2
A Chronology
Angkor Map
The Angkor Temples
* Diagrams also
Angkor Wat
*
(1113-1150 A.D.)
Phnom Bakeng
*
(9th-10th Century)
Angkor Thom
(1190-1210 A.D.)
Baksei Chamkrong
(947 A.D.)
Banteay Kdei
or the Citadel of
the Cells (1186 A.D.)
Banteay
Samre
(1150-1175 A.D.)
Banteay Srey
the Citadel of
Women (967 A.D.)
Banyon Temple
(1190 A.D.)
Chau Say Tevoda
and Thommanon (1190 A.D.)
Eastern Mebon and Eastern Baray
Neak Pean
(1190-1210 A.D.)
Northern and Southern Khleangs (967 A.D.)
Phimeanakas
(1000-1025 A.D.)
Prasat Kravan
(10th Century)
Pre Rup
(961 A.D.)
Preah
Pallilay
(end of the
12th century)
The Roluos Group
(850-893
A.D.)
* Preah Ko Temple
* Bakong Temple
* Lolei Temple
Srah Srang
(1190-1210 A.D.)
Ta Keo *
Ta Nei
(12th
Century)
Ta Prohm
(1186 A.D.)
Ta Som
(1190-1210 A.D.)
Tep Pranan
(late
9th century)
Terrace of the Elephants
(1190-1210 A.D.)
Terrace of
the Leper King
(1190-1210 A.D.)
Five large arched gates topped by a Gopura marke the entrances to Angkor Thom, the city of Jayavarman VII. Facing the cardinal points atop the 23 meter high sandstone towers stand four serene heads, representing one of the kings, the god of creation, Brahma or even a Boddhisatva - the compassionate Buddha who remained on earth to help other human beings achieve enlightment. A 3-headed elephant holding a lotus flower in each trunk supports the tower base. Indra, the God of the Sky, is riding Airavata, a three headed elephant. The main road eastward runs through the Victory Gate, located to the north of the East Gate.