On the Vesak day(Buddha Purnima),I was at Angkor Wat in Cambodia to witness the exemplary monument, a testimony to the fusion of two great religions,Hinduism and Buddhism. It stood resplendent in the twilight...stark in contrast to the moon,projecting an aura of the glory and the loss that withstood the upheaval of times.Its reflection in the moat carried the reminiscences of the times that passed .Of the times it survived.
Be it Angkor Wat or Angkor Thom, there is a pervasive symmetry conspicuous in its architecture.One which signifies a conscious attempt for the attainment of supreme spirituality.. Nirvana in short!
The four faces of Avalokiteshwara (or Jayavarman-VII--He built it all!) symbolize sympathy, compassion,beauty and equanimity as the four directions of the Mahayana Buddhism.Bayon looks awesome with 54 of these four-faceted structures in a mystical three-tier grey temple.As you step up each tier, it feels like ascending to a level closer to God.Needless to say,it was built to project the concept that King is deemed as incarnation of God .
If you thought Khmer culture is all to Angkor Wat, think again.The Banteay Srei is undoubtedly more beautiful than the rest.Set in pink sandstone and intricate carvings, each pillar..Each wall..Each cornice carries high the Hindu mythology .Alike to how the religion spread from India and transformed into Mahayana Buddhism.
The Angkor is famous for the expeditions that threw light on this fabulous heritage, which got raided up by the jungle and the Khmer rouges. One Pristine ,the later a mayhem. A must visit to the exotic Ta Prohm confirms the state in which the modern world came to know of the glory of Angkor.The Ta Prohm is equally famous for Angelina Jolie's(Lara Croft:The Tomb Raider) slide down the tree in the movie as is for the temple under the power and fecundity of the jungle, which grows over it now.They say.. The roots of history are deep ...you can see it here!
Last but not the least,the feel of the Khmer culture can best be enjoyed with the reticent traditional Apsara dance.
I had a great time there.An interesting thing to notice.You would be really bowled over by the immaculate English that the street kids speak.A contrast to the economical conditions.They come up and ask you which country are you from. They then ask you to buy a photograph from them in very polite manner. If you seem to ignore them, they would put forth a deal.."If I name the capital of your country, Would you buy a photograph from me ,Sir?" You would just be swept off with their accent.I bet!
It is a bit expensive place to visit ,mainly b'cos you need to spend everything in US dollars.Their local currency is just for petty change.A 1 litre mineral water bottle would cost you 1USD.Guess the Americans would also find it hard to ignore.
Do post your comments as I am back to blogging from a hiatus.I wish not to be in it .
An Angkoriomaniac.
Sunny
