Imagine yourself soaring through thousands of years within a split second. That's exactly what we felt as we stepped into the old region of Angkor in Siem Reap. The entire landscape was overgrown with massive, red-wooded trees and held more than a thousand ancient temples built as early as the 9th century under the rule of the Khmer Empire.
What you’d see in the next couple of posts is a glimpse of the temples’ stunning architecture and the fascinating stories behind them. These temples are not only spiritual relics but considerably important archeological remainders of Hindu-Buddhist influences. Sure, it takes a sharp eye to discern the distinct beauty of each structure. To the uninitiated, these sacred temples may look similar to one another but I assure you that all of them tell a different tale of Angkorian life.
We began our journey by venturing into Prasat Bayon the evening we reached Siem Reap. Though not as renowned as the Angkor Wat, the Bayon was just as magnificent of a structure if not more mysterious. Situated in the middle of Angkor Thom, the temple was surrounded by lush rainforest that emanates a somewhat mystical atmosphere. We stood in front of the temple near sunset and admired the orange rays that were lingering on the smiling faces of Buddha.
What made the Bayon interesting is just that— the colossal stone faces carved on all four sides of the towers. The temple featured a total of 54 towers with these gigantic heads of Buddha staring at all directions. No matter which path we took within the vicinity of the temple, we were bound to meet a face that radiates a warm smile. This was symbolic of the compassion that Buddha has for all sentient beings.
The construction of the Bayon took place under the rule of King Jayavarman VIII. Despite its observable Buddhist elements, the Bayon complex also contained Hindu influences like the many phallic structures (known as lingams) which symbolize the creation of men. A born Hindu, Jayavarman VIII is believed to have incorporated Buddhist practice into his later life, thus setting the Bayon apart from the other temples built in Angkor.
We set eyes on some interesting deep-stone carvings in the temple that reveal snapshots of everyday life among the Khmers hundreds of years ago. We were introduced to their daily routines, from hunting to fishing to shopping at the market. They even played board games, gambled during cockfights and enjoyed banquets as part of their leisurely pursuits. The walls also depict scenes of worship among ancient Khmers. They bowed down to Buddha with their offerings in tow.
Inside the complex, we found ourselves trailing in the dark, narrow passages with rickety steps that lead towards the towers. We made sure the light from our cellphones would help us find our way in the maze. If we weren’t careful enough, we’d surely have gotten lost. There were fewer visitors who came to the Bayon that evening; most of them were flocking the more popular temples nearby. Nobody would’ve helped us get back on track if we had lost our way!
Deep down, however, we were grateful. One, we were able to find the temple’s exit. And two, we experienced it all without having to fight the crowd. It was the only chance for us to feel the deafening silence within the revered space. The spiritual focus of the site was evident. Centuries had passed but we could certainly sense the serenity that used to cloak the Bayon at the tail-end of the Khmer civilization. For once, we felt as if we were part of a certain history.
