Constructed: Late 12th century C.E.
Religion: Buddhist
King/Patron: Jayavarman VII
Style: Bayon
Bayon is a richly decorated
Khmer temple built in the late twelfth century or early thirteenth century.
Built at the centre of King Jayavarman’s capital, Angkor Thom was the last
state temple to be built at Angkor, and the only Angkorian state temple to be
built primarily as a Mahayana Buddhist shrine dedicated to the Buddha.
Following Jayavarman’s death, it was modified and augmented by later Hindu and
Theravada Buddhist kings in accordance to their religious preferences.
Bayon’s most distinctive
feature is the multitude of serene and massive stone faces on the many towers
that jut from the upper terrace and cluster around its center peak. The
similarity of the 216 gigantic faces to other statues of Jayavarman VII has led
many scholars to the hypothesise that the faces are representations of the king
himself. Others believe that the faces belong to Avalokitesvara, the
bodhisattva of compassion.
The temple is also popular for
two impressive sets of bas-reliefs, which present an unusual combination of
mythological, historical, and mundane scenes. This is one of the many
‘must visit’ temples.