Ta Prohm, Angkor Complex, Siem Reap
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| | One of the most popular sites in Angkor, atmospheric Ta Prohm, the Tomb Rider temple, remains very much in the grip of the jungle. Tropical roots as wide as tree trunks split the massive temple stones or grow on top of the temple ramparts. In recent years, underbrush has been cleared and fallen blocks organized into piles. However, Ta Prohm is still very much in its ruined state and gives tourists an idea of what Angkor was like when the French explorers first chopped their way through the jungle. Ta Prohm remains dramatic and iconic, and many spots where tree and crumbling temple are locked in a tight embrace, are great photo ops. | |
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| Monastery of the King Unfortunately, Ta Prohm has been heavily looted and many of its stone statues have been stolen. Built in 1185 and known as Rajavihara or Monastery of the King, it was a Buddhist temple dedicated to Jayavarman VII’s mother. According to a recovered inscription stelae, still on the grounds, as many as 80,000 people lived here, of which several thousand were dancers, priests and officials. Ta Prohm is one of the largest monuments in Angkor and was extremely wealthy in its time with enormous stores of gold and precious stones, 260 statues of gods, 39 towers with pinnacles and 566 groups of residences. | | | Sprawling complex Ta Prohm is a sprawling complex of towers, courtyards and narrow corridors. Many of the corridors are blocked by piles of stone blocks, although wooden pathways have been constructed to walk around them. Look carefully and you will see carvings on these blocks. Sunlight streaming into the temple grounds show bas-reliefs and carvings of asparas on the walls, some covered by moss. The trees in Ta Prohm, fig, banyan and kapok are believed to be hundreds of years old, and tower well above the temple, throwing shade and shadows onto the courtyard. | |
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Last Updated on Monday, 28 September 2009 06:04 |
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