Temples of ANGKOR

It was 5 am (my eyes weren't used to be alert at this hour ) whe my TUK-TUK entered a thick dark jungle.I felt after missing out on sunrise for 20 years I will finally waste it in this jungle.

As i got down all i could see was a bridge and a wall 300 meters away .Confused and dejected i followed the voices which suggested a big crowd.Beyond the bridge  across the water body was the huge wall.As we ( voices and i) crossed the wall we got to a lake.As minutes passed by  the sky turned crimson. Most noticeable was the lotus in the lake.Next to the lotus was a reflection . As I raised my eyes I saw a silhouette. A grand imposing structure blocking the light. I realized the grandeur of Angkor Vat . The feeling of belittlement was similar to the feeling you get on a deserted beach .While the Sea is god's creation this was possibly made by Mortals.

As the sun tried to peek through this grandiose structure, I noticed not only was it grand but also the beauty of the fine work . I have never witnessed a sunrise with thousands of people around me .Surprisingly it was very quite ,perhaps they were as mesmerized as I was.

The temple’s design represents Mount Meru (abode of lord Brahma), a place which Hindus consider to be home of the gods. The gods reside at the top – the main dome. The other eight domes represent the peaks of the mountain around Meru. Artistically the domes also resemble lotus buds,thus providing a fitting backdrop  to the lotus buds in the lake. The moats represent the ocean around it. 

Angkor Wat was built in the 12th century in over 30 years. King Suryavarman II, dedicated it  to Vishnu (Hindu god).The 200 acre wonder is surrounded by a rectangular moat. The moat is 200 m wide and cover  5km.(http://natgeotv.com/uk/ancient-megastructures/videos/angkor-wat-the-moat-explained)

As we went inside to explore the Angkor we realized the beauty and enigma of ANGKOR is only limited by our capability to explore.One can spend a lifetime exploring the temples of Angkor from the city of Angkor thom to the Ta Prohm ( showcased in Angelina jolie's tomb raider )I saw what i could but i knew underneath this jungle lies a footprint of a civilization what was unfathomable before French explorer Henri Mahout stumbled across this staggering collection of temples in 1860.Right here was a civilization that was once the cultural and economic capital of the world.

Every Cambodian is a proud descendant of Angkor, while the wealth has left the culture and pride is still there.Angkor is an everlasting symbol of strength and prosperity . A ray of hope in these troubled times.It motivates them to reclaim their glorious place again .

As for a traveler , best way to experience Angkor is in a hot air balloon because only then will you experience its true splendor.