Namaste ! I'm Shreyas Kulkarni, a 9th std. student in Pune, India.Here's my documentary on Angkor Wat which is the greatest Hindu temple. This documentary gives a detailed insight into Angkor Wat which is the largest Hindu Temple complex by land area & the 2nd most visited heritage sight in the world welcoming around 2.6 Million tourists per year ! It was built in the 12th century by the king Suryavarman II. Angkor Wat is a masterpiece of Hindu civilisation, heritage, spirituality, culture & architecture. It has become the symbol of Cambodia appearing on its national flag. For more information, here's the video : https://youtu.be/0azcUrckhx4

1. SHREYAS KULKARNI
PRESENTS

2. The Greatest Hindu Temple In The World
ANGKOR WAT , CAMBODIA

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ANGKOR WAT : MEANING & LOCATION
THE CREATOR OF ANGKOR WAT
THE PRIDE OF CAMBODIA : ANGKOR WAT
INSIDE ANGKOR WAT
THE GREAT CHOLA EMPIRE
IMAGE GALLERY
RESTORATION OF ANGKOR WAT BY THE ASI

4. ANGKOR WAT : MEANING & LOCATION
Cambodia is located in the southeast Asia
Angkor Wat lies 5.5 kilometres (3.4 miles) north
of the modern town of Siem Reap in Cambodia
Angkor means city or capital city. Its a
vernacular form of the word nokor coming from
the Sanskrit word nagara (नगर). Wat is the Khmer
word for temple grounds, also derived from the
Sanskrit word vata (वट) meaning enclosure.
The original name of this temple was Vrah
Vishnuloka or Parama Vishnuloka (
वि
ष्णू
लोक) ,
the Sanskrit word that means the sacred dwelling
of God Vishnu.
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5. King Suryavarman II - Creator of Angkor Wat
King Suryavarman II of Chola Dynasty built The Angkor
Wat in the early 12th century in Yasodhapura (present day
Angkor), the capital of the Khmer Empire, as his state
temple.
Breaking from the Shaiva tradition of previous kings,
Angkor Wat was instead dedicated to Bhagwan Vishnu.
Originally constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to the
God Vishnu, The Angkor Wat gradually transformed into a
Buddhist temple at the end of the 12th century, and as such
it is also described as a "Hindu-Buddhist" temple.
THE CREATOR OF ANGKOR WAT
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6. It is a masterpiece of Hindu civilisation,
heritage, spirituality, culture and architecture
Its the largest religious monument by land area &
the 2nd most visited heritage site in the world
welcoming around 2.6 million tourists per year !
There are 1,200 sq. meters of carved bas reliefs
representing 8 different Hindu stories
As the best-preserved temple at the site, its the
only one to be a signi
fi
cant religious centre since
its foundation
THE PRIDE OF CAMBODIA : ANGKOR WAT
The Cambodian Flag above shows the symbol of
Angkor Wat meaning Integrity , Justice and Heritage.
The Angkor Wat has become the symbol of Cambodia
appearing on its na
ti
onal
fl
ag & it is the country's
prime a
tt
rac
ti
on for visitors.
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7. LET'S GET INSIDE
ANGKOR WAT !
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8. DEMYSTIFYING ANGKOR WAT
STATUE OF GOD VISHNU
TOWERS, LIBRARY, GALLERY
CORRIDORS
SAMUDRA MANTHAN
DEPICTION OF :
MAHABHARAT
RAMAYAN
SWARG & NARAK ( HEAVEN & HELL )
YAMA'S COURT
INSIDE ANGKOR WAT : TABLE OF CONTENTS

9. DEMYSTIFYING ANGKOR WAT
Courtesy - Pinterest
It took about 37 years to build this magnificent Temple spread over 162.6 hectares (1.626 km2; 402 acres )
The most important & prominent of the 5
towers. Its 213 ft. above the ground. Its
considered the home of
Gods (ग
र्भ
गृह)
The bas-reliefs (sculptures)
are meant to be read in a
counterclockwise standing
here
Unlike most Khmer temples, which face east, Angkor
Wat's main entrance and emphasis faces the west
The 1st of 3 levels. Its interior walls are decorated with a gallery of
bas-reliefs divided into 8 sections. Commoners are allowed here
Conical in shape, the towers on the
3rd level represent the 5 peaks of
Mt. Meru which sit at the centre of
the universe, according to Hindu
and Buddhist beliefs
Walls are carved with a collection of more than
1,500 apsaras (अ
प्स
रा) . Each dancer is unique.
This level acts as the base for the
5 towers. During Suryavarman II's
reign, only the high priest and the
king were allowed to visit this level
THIRD LEVEL
CENTRAL TOWER
ENTRANCE FIRST LEVEL
SECOND LEVEL
MAIN TOWERS
GALLERIES
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10. STATUE OF GOD VISHNU @ THE SOUTHERN TOWER
Courtesy - BIGSTOCK
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Courtesy - Picxy

11. NORTHERN LIBRARY THE CENTRAL TOWER 1 OF THE 4 CORNER TOWERS
THE OUTER GALLERY
Angkor Wat is meant to be an earthly re-creation
of the universe in stone with the central tower
representing Mount Meru, the mythical Hindu
home of the Gods.
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12. VERY ANCIENT CORRIDOR
CORRIDOR
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DECORATION ON A CORNER
Courtesy - envato elements

13. Mount Mandara was used as churning rod & Vasuki , the serpent was used as the rope for
Churning the Ocean.
Perhaps this is the most important narrative represented at Angkor Wat, depicting a story about
beginning of the time & creation of the universe.
DEPICTION OF SAMUDRA MANTHAN
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The bas-relief of the Churning of the Sea of Milk
(SAMUDRA MANTHAN) shows God Vishnu in
the centre, his turtle Avatar Kurma below, devatas &
asuras to left & right, Indra & apsaras above.

14. The Bas reliefs showing The Battle of Kurukshetra between Pandavas & Kauravas
DEPICTION OF MAHABHARAT - 1
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15. Battle of Kurukshetra bas-relief depicting advancing Kaurava army and the death of Bhishma
DEPICTION OF MAHABHARAT - 2
Pitamaha Bhishma lying on the bed of arrows
This bas-relief shows a
section of the Battle of
Kurukshetra, depicting
Pitamaha Bhishma, the
great - grand father of
both the Pandavas and
Kauravas. The commander
of the Kaurava army, lying
on the bed of arrows
fi
red
at him by Arjuna.
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16. The Battle of Lanka is the theme of the bas-relief carved on
the northern section of the west gallery. This is the
fi
nal
battle in Ramayana in which Ram and the army of (Vanar
Sena) defeat Ravan and rescue Rama’s wife Sita. The bas
-relief is most-likely based on the Yudda Kanda chapter of
Ramayana authored by Valmiki Rishi. Besides Ram &
Ravan, it depicts many prominent
fi
gures from both sides.
After the abduction of Ram’s wife Sita by Ravan, Ram
gathered an army with the help of his ally Sugriv, the king
of the Vanar kingdom of Kishkindha & attacked Lanka to
rescue her. According to Ramayana, Lanka, where this epic
battle took place, is an island located south of India. The
present-day island nation of Sri Lanka closely
fi
ts the
description of Lanka in Ramayana.
In this bas-relief, Ravan is in battle mode leading his warriors in this epic
battle against Shriram. He is holding a variety of weapons with his hands.
While Ravan is leading his charge, Nila (नील), the commander-in-chief is
leading the Vanar Sena. Ramayana describes the key role played by Nila
while building Ram Setu (the bridge between India and Lanka). Charging
with Ravana are his warriors carrying gadaas (maces)
DEPICTION OF RAMAYAN - 1
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17. The Battle of Lanka bas-relief is about raging battle that is underway with the Rakshasas and Vanar Sena engaged in hand-to-
hand combat. Straddled on the heads of 2 beautifully carved lions harnessed to a chariot is a ferocious Vanar Senani carrying
on his shoulder a Rakshas, who presumably is the charioteer. A rakshasa is wielding a sword & trying to attack a Vanar Senani.
DEPICTION OF RAMAYAN - 2
Rakshashas ( Demons ) vs Vanar Sena
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18. SWARG ( HEAVEN ) & NARAK ( HELL )
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The bas-relief has 3 layers
1. Upper layer : Depicts Swargas (Heavens)
2. Middle layer : Depicts the Bhoomi (Earth)
3. Bottom layer : Depicts Narakas (Hells)
The entire Heavens & Hells bas-relief depicts 37
Swargas and 32 Narakas.
The Narakas are much more descriptive than the
Swargas. As you can see from the bottom layer, the
punishment of sinners is gory and elaborate.
Although Naraka translates to hell, it is not the hell
as understood in the West. A Naraka is more akin
to purgatory because it is not eternal & the sinners
can redeem themselves once they pay for the sins.
In Hindu philosophy, sinners are reborn, but not
always as humans.

19. DEPICTION OF YAMA'S COURT - 1
Yama is one of the Asht Dikpalas (guardians of the eight directions) and is responsible for guarding the South, which makes him the
lord of the south. Therefore, the bas-reliefs related to Yama are in the south gallery.
This bas-relief depicts the
Yama, the God of justice and
lord of Narak, sitting on a
bu
ff
alo & conducting the
proceedings in his court. He
is portrayed with multiple
hands, one of which carries
his signature weapon gada
(mace), and is surrounded by
his guards and sinners.
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20. DEPICTION OF YAMA'S COURT - 2
The guards in the upper-tier are pushing the sinners to the
lower-tier through a trapdoor & the guards in the lower tier,
which represents a naraka, punishing the sinners in a
variety of ways.
This is the continuation of Yama’s court where Chitragupta, a God &
the assessor who keeps the records of good & bad deeds of a human
being from birth to death, assisting Yama in determining who goes to
heaven and who goes to hell. Chitragupta is checking the records of
souls.
Pushing sinners to hell
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21. IMAGE GALLERY
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Facade of Angkor Wat, a drawing by Henri Mouhot, c. 1860
Sketch of Angkor Wat, a drawing by Louis Delaporte, c. 1880
Angkor Wat from another side
Aerial view of Angkor Wat

22. 18
This grand replica of Angkor Wat in Paris Colonial Exposition of 1931
represented the immense grandeur of the French protectorate of Cambodia

23. THE GREAT
CHOLA EMPIRE
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24. CHOLA'S VAST EMPIRE
The Chola empire had extended into present day South Hindustan, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka & Maldives.
It was thus a huge empire.
The Cholas had an efficient bureaucracy & centralised administration.
The economy & agriculture flourished & trade Relations were extended to countries as far as China.
The Cholas were a maritime power
The Bangkok Airport is called SUVARNABHUMI ,
the word coming from Sanskrit & meaning The
Land Of Gold.
Its entrance depicts AMRUT MANTHAN, the
word also coming from Sanskrit.
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25. IMPERIAL CHOLAS
V
ij
ayalaya
Ruled from
Tanjavore
Built Soleswara
temple
Aditya
Defeated Pallavas,
annexed Kanchi to
the Chola empire
Parantaka
1
Captured
Madurai from Pandyas
Succeeded
by Gandaraditya
Rajaraja
1 Captured Karnataka, half of Sri Lanka
Conquered Vengi from Chalukyas
Built Brihadeeshwarar temple (Now a UNESCO heritage site)
Built a strong navy
Rajendra
Captured remaining part of Sri Lanka
by 1018, Srivijaya (Sumatra) with his Naval Army
& Parts of Malaysia
Defeated Jayasimha II in the battle of Maski,
Mahipala of Pala dynasty
Built Gangaikonda Cholapuram to
commemorate his victory over North India which
served as the capital till the end of the dynasty
Rajadhiraja
Performed
Ashwameda Yajna
Rajendra
2
Defeated
Chalukyas @ the
battle of Kuppam,
built pillar of victory
at Tungabhadra
1
Virarajendra
Defeated
Chalukya king
Someshwara I
Adhirajendra
Last
ruler of the Vijayalaya
Chola dynasty
(848–871)
(871–907)
(907–950)
(1044–1054)
(1054–1063) (1063–1070)
(1070-1070)
(1012–1044)
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(985–1014)

26. ANGKOR WAT RESTORATION
BY
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF
INDIA ( ASI )
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27. Courtesy - thebetterindia.com
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The year was 1986. For the past decade, Angkor Wat remained shrouded in mystery & gun smoke due to the
Cambodian civil war. Moreover long years of neglect & nature’s vagaries had begun to show on the ancient edi
fi
ce.
The jungle surrounding Angkor Wat started swallowing the entire superstructure, with exquisite carvings developing
cracks and the ornate columns beginning to sink. It was this imminent danger to this temple that pushed Cambodia’s
new government to
fi
nally save it.
Cold War politics led to Cambodia’s new government being rejected by most of the international community,
leaving it without friends or funds to restore Angkor Wat to its original majesty.
India accepted Cambodia’s request to restore Angkor Wat & signed a 6-yr agreement regarding the same. It also
assigned funds & a team of ASI archaeologists for the historic project.
The ASI team faced a challenging task as the temple complex lay in ruins with signs of decay everywhere.
RESTORATION - 1
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28. Tumultuous years of civil war had taken its toll. Few of Angkor Wat’s carvings were burnt by
fi
res, riddled with
bullets & blown off by bombs. The ruthless regime of Khmer Rouge beheaded nearly 50 statues of Buddha.
While the guerrillas had been dispersed, they hadn’t been completely neutralised & the forest around Angkor Wat
was still heavily mined. Sourcing & organising the necessary supplies also was a tough task. As such, day-to-day
survival was a challenge for the ASI team as the restoration job itself.
Indian archeologists persevered the temple with the help of Cambodian workers & in the presence of armed
escorts. Employing conservation techniques & material available at the time, they began this mammoth task.
Cheng Phon, Cambodia’s then-minister of culture said in 1988: 'By restoring Angkor Wat, the Indian team is in fact
healing our souls.” The ASI completed the task in 1993 which is deeply appreciated by the Cambodians even today.
For more details on this, refer to the book written by Dr. B Narasimhaiah - Angkor Wat : India’s Contribution in
Conservation, published by the ASI in 1994 .
Courtesy - thebetterindia.com
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RESTORATION - 2
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29. THANK YOU !
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