Cambodia Diaries: A pictorial journey to Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom- Temple complexes
The temple complexes in northwestern Cambodia not only co-exist with Buddhist iconography but also influence the cultural life of the country.
Temple wall adorn with detailing
The beauty in the wall is reflected in the detailing.
The walls of Angkor Wat have a full illustration of both epic tales Ramayan and Mahabharat and the Samudramanthan which is known as the tale of churning of the seas from which both celestial nectar and poison came out.
(Photograph:WION)
Walls narrating stories from Ramayana, Mahabharata
The walls have a detailing from Ramayana of the fight between monkey king Bali with Sugreev and Lord Ram taking a position to go for a kill.
The walls also narrate stories from Mahabharat showing Bhishma being pinned by Arjuna’s arrows and the vicious detailing of the 18-day battle.
(Photograph:WION)
Temple walls also recite the popular Narasimha tale
The tale of Narasimha avatar which recites a fight between a devotee called Prahlad, his daitya (monster) father Hirnakashyap and Narasimha avatar of Vishnu is also reflected on the temple walls.
Though the tale is quite popular in India, the temple only finds a place in South India and not North India.
The walls of Angor Wat, however, describe a story from the Narasimha tale.
(Photograph:WION)
