Hindu, Angkor Dynasty. c. 800-1400 C.E. Stone masonry, sandstone
Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. There were many changes in architecture and artistic style at Angkor, and there was a religious movement from the Hindu cult of the god Shiva to that of Vishnu and then to a Mahayana Buddhist cult devoted to the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.
Form & Function:
- largest religious monument in the world
- 400 kilometers large
- contains various capitals of the Khmer empire from 9th to 15th century
- includes temple of Angkor Wat in Angkor Thom
- full of temples, monuments, hydraulic structures (basins, dykes, reservoirs, canals) and communication routes
- villages sprinkled throughout park are still inhabited today
- built entirely out of stone, and almost all surfaces covered with high relief ornaments and bas relief images
- Buddhist monks and nuns still worship there today
- Angkor temple dedicated to Vishnu, the protector or preserver
Content:
- Organization
- ancient sanskirt and khmer texts say that temples should be organized to be in harmony with nature
- planned according to sun and moon, calendar of the year
- central axis should be aligned with the planets
- plan of the universe or mandala
- Structure
- expansive enclosure wall separates the temple grounds from the moat
- the temple is comprised of three passageways running around the temple, also known as galleries and a central sanctuary, marked by 5 stone towers
- 5 stone towers mimic Meru, the mythical home of the gods in both Hinduism and Buddhism
- stacked nature of temple supposed to literally represent mountains to invite the gods, hallmark style of architecture
- galleries create empty spaces that represent the mountain ranges and oceans surrounding the mountain
- Meru is considered an axis-mundi or an axis connecting heaven and Earth
- so this temple is like a lavish home for Vishnu
- Decoration
- 1200 square meters of carved bas relief
- represent 8 different hindu stories
- more prominent one is Churning of Ocean of Milk (below)
- shows the beginning of time and the creation of the universe (links King to Gods in direct line since creation of the world)
- Devas (gods) fighting asura (demons) to reclaim order and power
- to save the Earth amrita (the elixir of life) has to be released from the Earth
- relief depicts the moment when the gods and demons are churning the sea of milk
- playing tug of war with Naga (the snake) to churn the oceans
- once the elixir is released Indra (the king of all gods) is seen descending to collect it and save all the worlds
Context:
- has become Cambodian national symbol; on the national flag
- Siem Reap region of Cambodia
- name means "City Temple" in Khmer (national language of Cambodia) although this is likely not the original name
- strangely no texts that mention the city by name
- built by King Suryavarman II (1113-1145/50 C.E.) "protector of the sun"
- many scholars believe that the temple was also intended to serve as a mausoleum after the King's death
--> Cross cultural connection: Taj Mahal
- construction started shortly after he took the throne and was finished shortly after his death
- based on inscriptions found and the style of architecture
- building temples was used by Khmer kings to legitimize their rule and gain protection from the gods
- needed to prove that the gods did not support his predecessor, assert that their temple was where they would choose to live on Earth
- probably used 300,000 workers, including architects, construction workers, stone masons, sculptors, and servants to feed them
Sources:
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/668
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/south-east-se-asia/cambodia-art/a/angkor-wat
