Angkor Wat.

Angkor wat which literally means ‘City Temple’ is a hindu temple complex built to replicate the heavens on earth. Constructed for king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, it is the best-preserved temple and is the only one to  have  remained  a  significant  religious  centre since its foundation-first Hindu,  dedicated  to  Vishnu,  then Buddhist. The temple is the epitome of the  high classical  style  of  Khmer architecture. This magnificent temple combines two  basic plans  of Khmer  temple  architecture;  the  temple mountain and the later galleried temple, based on early South Indian Hindu architecture.  Constructed  within  a  moat and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 miles) long with three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next, it  is  designed  to  represent  Mount Meru,  home  of  the  devas  in  Hindu mythology.

At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is  oriented to the west and this has scholars  divided  as  to  its  significance.  The  temple  is admired for the grandeur and harmony of the architecture. The extensive bas-reliefs and the numerous guardian spirits adorning its walls serve as evidence of the strong Khmer religious beliefs.