Exploring Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Cambodia and the largest religious monument in the world competing in grandeur only with Bagan in Myanmar - my native country. Following the footsteps of Jacqueline Kennedy who risked a visit to Angkor Wat during the Vietnam War to fulfill a "lifelong dream" of seeing the monument, I also had a privilege to experience the amazing temples of Angkor and the ancient city in a much safer atmosphere.

Front view of the main temple - Angkor Wat. I visited during Pchum Ben - a 15-day Cambodian religious festival, culminating in celebrations on the 15th day of the tenth month in the Khmer calendar, at the end of the Buddhist lent, Vassa.

Sunrise at Angkor Wat is by far the most popular activity among the visitors. Unfortunately since everybody knows about it and try to do it, the temple grounds are often crowded. I was lucky though as last year's Pchum Ben was in September, which technically is in the middle of the rainy season. The weather was great and I was almost alone in the temples, which is not easy in the attraction visited by approximately 5 million people a year!

Back wall of Angkor Wat.

A cute stupa at the back of Angkor Wat tries to resist what the jungle tries to reclaim.

Angkor Wat is surrounded by the moat which used to be infested by always hungry crocodiles. The story goes that they've all been eaten by the locals during the tragic rule of the Khmer Rouge regime. I'd still won't risk a swim there!

One of the gates to the ancient city of Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom, located in present-day Cambodia, was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire. It was established in the late twelfth century by King Jayavarman VII.

Bayon - a well-known and richly decorated Khmer temple at the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom in Cambodia. Built in the late 12th or early 13th century as the officials state was the temple of the Mahayana Buddhist King Jayavarman VII.

Back entrance to Ta Prohm - one of my favourite temples mostly known for its relentless fight with the surrounding jungle. See the tree in the middle? It's not an illusion. It actually grows through the roof of the temple!

Banteay Srei is also one of my favourites in the area. It's a 10th-century Cambodian temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Located in the area of Angkor, it lies near the hill of Phnom Dei, 25 km north-east of the main group.

Exploring Banteay Srei. Researchers believe that the spectacular attention to details might mean that the temple has been built by women. Men's hands are simply to big to carve so many details!

After a busy day it's time to enjoy the sunset at Srah Srang - a baray or reservoir at Angkor, Cambodia, located south of the East Baray and east of Banteay Kdei.

This was my spectacular trip to the temples of Angkor in Cambodia. If you've ever been there, please share a link to your post in the comments. If you haven't yet, I hope I succeeded in inspiring you to go!