Angkor Wat, in its beauty and state of preservation, is unrivaled. Its mightiness and magnificence bespeak a pomp and a luxury surpassing that of a Pharaoh or a Shah Jahan, an impressiveness greater than that of the Pyramids, an artistic distinctiveness as fine as that of the Taj Mahal. Actually it is a miniature replica of the universe in stone and represents an earthly model of the cosmic world. The central tower rises from the center of the monument symbolizing the mythical mountain, Meru, situated at the center of the universe. Its five towers correspond to the peaks of Meru. The outer wall corresponds to the mountains at the edge of the world, and the surrounding moat the oceans beyond.
It was built in the first half of the 12th century (113-5BC). Estimated construction time of the temple is 30 years by King Suryavarman II, dedicated to Vishnu (Hindu), replica of Angkor Thom style of art. In fact, the word “angkor” means capital. It became one of the most architecturally complex places in the world between the 9th and the 13th centuries, but when armies from Thailand captured the city 1431, it was abandoned by most of its citizens. Then Angkor was forgotten for 400 years, the city was overrun by a jungle. The temple still stayed in great shape because of the fine sand foundations that the Khmer people had built. Rain caused the clay in the sandstone to dissolve, in effect weakening the structures.
In the year 1860, the French naturalist Alexander-Henri Mouhot rediscovered the ancient city while on a wildlife expedition. In 1991, the United Nations peace-keeping force took control of the country of Cambodia. Two years later, Cambodia’s constitution was restored in a monarchy. Now it is one of the World’s Heritage sites.