It is quite impressive. It was built between the 9th and 13th centuries, both as a capital and the State Temple dedicated to Vishnu.
The temple combines two major features of the Khmer architecture - a pyramid and concentric galleries.
It is above all a microcosm if the Hindu universe. The moat represents the mythical oceans surrounding the Earth and the secession of concentric gardens represent the mountain range that surround Mt. Meru, the home of the Gods. The towers represent the mountains peaks, and the experience of the ascent to the central shrine is a fairly convincing imitation of climbing a real mountain.
The temple combines two major features of the Khmer architecture - a pyramid and concentric galleries.
It is above all a microcosm if the Hindu universe. The moat represents the mythical oceans surrounding the Earth and the secession of concentric gardens represent the mountain range that surround Mt. Meru, the home of the Gods. The towers represent the mountains peaks, and the experience of the ascent to the central shrine is a fairly convincing imitation of climbing a real mountain.
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