100 Temples Project

Sunday, November 9, 2025

The Story of the Inner (Hidden) Wall Carvings

The hidden wall behind the Terrace of the Leper King shows a story about the three levels of the universe: the underworld, the earth, and the heavenly world. When the terrace was first built, this wall was covered with soil and stones, providing it with excellent protection for many centuries. When the wall was later uncovered, people found beautiful carvings of gods, mythical animals, and spirits that seemed to tell a story of life after death and the journey of the soul.

1. The Lower Level: The Underworld

At the bottom part of the wall, you can see carvings of water creatures like fish, turtles, crocodiles, and serpents (nagas).

This part represents the underworld, the place beneath the earth and under the water.

In Khmer belief, this is where powerful naga spirits live, the protectors and guardians of the land.

2. The Middle Level: The Human and Royal World

In the middle section, there are royal attendants, dancers, and warriors. These carvings show scenes from daily life in the royal court and the world of humans.

Here, people serve the gods, perform dances, and take part in royal or religious ceremonies. It shows the connection between humans and the divine world above.

3. The Upper Level: The Heavenly World

The top section shows gods and goddesses, celestial beings (apsaras and devatas), and guardians with calm faces and graceful poses.

This part represents heaven, where the gods live and watch over the world below.

Together, the three layers tell the story of the universe in Khmer belief, from the dark underworld to the bright heaven, showing the journey from earthly life to spiritual freedom.

The carvings on the hidden wall are not just decorations. They tell a spiritual story, a journey from the underworld (nagas and water creatures) to the human world (royal life) and finally to the heavenly world (gods and celestial beings). The wall itself was hidden, like a secret layer of the universe, waiting to be discovered.

Friday, November 7, 2025

ប្រាសាទតុបខាងកើត ឬ ប្រាសាទមង្គលាថ៌ (Top Temple - East) #siemreap #សៀមរាប...

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Sarus Cranes on the Wall of Bayon Temple - ចម្លាក់សត្វក្រៀល ឬកុកទេពនៅជញ្ជាំងប្រាសាទបាយ័ន

On the walls of Bayon Temple in Siem Reap Province, there are beautiful stone carvings that show Sarus Cranes, tall birds with long legs and red heads. These carvings are part of the temple’s intricate wall scenes, which tell stories about daily life, nature, and animals during the Angkor period.

The artists of that time carefully carved the cranes to show their elegant shape and graceful movements, similar to how the real birds dance in the wild. The Sarus Crane was likely included in the carvings because it was an important bird in Cambodian culture, symbolizing peace, love, and harmony.

Today, these carvings help us understand that the people of Angkor respected nature and had a deep connection with the animals living around them. The presence of the Sarus Crane in Bayon’s art also shows that this bird has lived in Cambodia for hundreds of years and remains an important part of the country’s natural heritage.

Beautiful Wall Carvings at Bayon Temple

The Bayon Temple, in the old city of Angkor Thom in Cambodia, is famous for its detailed wall carvings. These carvings show not only stories about kings and gods but also scenes from daily life during the Khmer Empire over 800 years ago.

Some carvings show battles and important events, while others show everyday activities like people shopping in the market, fishing, cooking, or playing games. Because of these pictures, we can learn a lot about how people lived in that time.

Sunday, November 2, 2025

Kandork Yeak Temple (ប្រាសាទកណ្តកយក្ស)

Kandork Yeak Temple is a sandstone temple built in the 12th century. It was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. This temple is one of five in the Preah Pithu group, but it stands out quite differently from the other four.

Like the other temples, it is made of sandstone and stands on a high base. However, its shape is longer and narrower, unlike the others that have a small cross-shaped layout. The temple has a front room connected to a longer hall by a short passage, which also serves as the entrances on the north and south sides.

There are two half pediments (carved triangular decorations) beside the north and south doorways that show stories about Vishnu. Above the doors are smaller pediments. On the west side, there is a false door, and the pillars are decorated with round patterns.

To the north of the temple, there is a small basin with laterite (a reddish stone) edges on one side. Next to it, on the east side, is a terrace structure. In the northeast corner, there is a mound or small structure featuring stone items, such as lingas (symbols of Shiva) and pedestals, although its purpose remains unknown.

Sunday, October 19, 2025

Top Temple (East) - ប្រាសាទតុបខាងកើត ឬ ប្រាសាទមង្គលាថ៌

Top Temple (East) is located within the walls of Angkor Thom, to the west of Bayon Temple and to the south of the Victory Gate, approximately 12 kilometers from Siem Reap town. It is a small temple among the many found in the Angkor area.

Research on this temple began in the early 20th century by scholars such as Lunet de Lajonquière, Henri Marchal, Louis Finot, and George Cœdès. In 1911, Lunet de Lajonquière registered Mangalartha Temple as Monument No. 487. Later, in 1918, Henri Marchal recorded the name of the temple as “Top Temple”, a name he heard from the local villagers who thought the temple looked “lumpy.” However, according to its inscriptions, the temple’s original name was Mangalartha.

Mangalartha Temple was built of laterite stone on a two-tiered base with a cruciform (cross-shaped) layout. The main entrance is on the east side, while false doors are found on the west, south, and north sides. Based on the studies of several researchers, Mangalartha Temple is believed to be the last laterite temple dedicated to Brahmanism during the Angkor period. This conclusion is supported by evidence from its inscriptions, construction techniques, and building materials.

There are two Sanskrit inscriptions at the temple. One is engraved directly on the temple itself (on the southern doorway), and the other was inscribed on a pillar. Today, only the inscription on the temple remains. Louis Finot studied these inscriptions and was later recorded by George Cœdès in Inscriptions du Cambodge, Tome VIII, under the numbers K.487 and K.567.

According to the inscriptions, Mangalartha Temple was built during the reign of King Jayavarman VIII and was dedicated to a Brahmin named Jayamangalartha and his mother Suphitra, in honor of the Vaishnavite tradition of Brahmanism (the worship of Vishnu).

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

My Photos from My 3 Days in Siem Reap (October 10th - 12th, 2025)

Siem Reap Province, especially almost all of its ancient temples and historical sites, looks incredibly beautiful and refreshing during the rainy season.

I would recommend that both national and international tourists visit more often, take stunning photographs, and learn about the history of the Khmer ancient temples from local Khmer tour guides, who are always ready to warmly welcome visitors with friendliness.

The food in Siem Reap is reasonably priced and very delicious. You can enjoy a variety of street foods along the Siem Reap River. I have tried them myself and I’m truly satisfied with both the taste and the service, as well as the affordable prices.

Every time I visit Siem Reap, I always go to eat street food along the river; it’s one of my favorite experiences.