In the Southeast Asian country of Cambodia lies the ancient city of Angkor. In antiquity, Angkor was a vitally important administrative center and religious site. The powerful Khmer kings who ruled this area oversaw their empire from Angkor. The city was also deeply spiritual and its layout was modeled after the Hindu universe.

Angkor Wat is one of the many temple complexes in Angkor. The original purpose of Angkor Wat was a temple to honor the Khmer kings. Khmer kings lived around the 12th century, and were believed to be Hindu gods in human form. This temple has been around for more than seven centuries and today, is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus and Buddhists. Khmer kings built their own temples to honor themselves. This was only done by the Hindu culture.

The temple complex symbolized the Hindu universe, and was placed around a sculpture of Mount Meru, the home of all Hindu gods. Angkor Wat was built by King Suryavar II during the 12th century and was dedicated to Vishnu, one of the three main Hindu gods.

Later in its history the city changed entirely. Much of the city of Angkor was eventually taken over by neighboring peoples, except for Angkor Wat.  Buddhist Monks preserved the site, for hundreds of years. Angkor Wat became a very important pilgrimage site for many people in Southeast Asia, specifically Hindus and religious Monks.

Colonial French conqueror spotted this temple complex in the 1860s, and the temple was rediscovered in the eyes of the western world. Centuries of war had damaged the building, and the French colonists started a very important reconstruction program. As more and more European countries heard of Angkor Wat, they realized their own medieval cathedrals were equally astonishing.

[Sources: The World’s Greatest Buildings; Atlas of World History]