Baphuon Temple

Baphuon Temple

Baphuon Temple

Date:                                     Built in early eleventh century

Religion:                               Hinduism

King:                                     Udayadityavarman II (1049-1066)

Baphoun is considered as the third largest temple in the Angkor Archeological Park after Ankgor Wat and Bayon. This temple occupied an area of 425mby 238m.Baphoun designed like a mountain which is 25m tall. It symbolized Meru, a mythical mountain located in the center of the universe, which was the home of Hindu gods.Mr Chou Ta Kaun, a Chinese diplomat who stayed in Angkor Thom city for one year in 1295 named this temple as the Bronze Tower as its tower was covered by Bronze and there was a gold Linga sculpture in the central tower as well.

Style: the main structure of Baphoun was designed as a pyramid with three levels. Each level of this temple was surrounded by galleries.

Bridge: Baphoun has the first design of an amazingstone bridge leading to the main shrine. This bridge is 220m long, supported three rows of round pillars.

Carvings: Baphoun has very interesting carvings about Hindu myths, hunters, animal fighting, andhuman residences, carved into a square stone, which look like a photo frame. It was a unique style in the Angkor time.

Reclining Buddha: today, there’s a huge reclining Buddha sculpture to the west structure of the temple which was added by King Ang Chan Raja in the 16^thcentury.