TA PROHM TEMPLE ( NATURE AND ARCHITECTURE
COLLIDE IN A WE INSPIRING SPLENDOUR)
Ta Prohm, a Bayon
style temple, is believed to be built in the late twelfth and early thirteenth
centuries. It was founded by King Jayavarman VII as a Mahayana Buddhist
monastery and university. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Ta Prohm has been left
in much the same condition in which it was found where the photogenic and
atmospheric combination of trees growing
out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings have made it one of Angkor’s most
popular temples with visitors.
Rajavihara ( Royal
temple ) , as it was originally known, was one of the first temples founded
pursuant to a massive program of construction and public works after the King’s
ascension to the throne in 1811 A.D. It was built in honor of his family . The
temple’s main image, representing Prajnaparamita , the personification of
wisdom ,was modeled on the king’s mother. The northern and southern satellite temples
in the third closure were dedicated to the king’s guru and his elder brother
respectively. As such, Ta Prohm formed a complementary pair with the temple
monastery of Preah Khan , dedicated in 1191 A.D. the main image of which
represented Avelokitesvara , the Bodhisattav of compassion and was modeled on
the king’s father.
The site was home to
more than 12,500 people including 18 high priests and 615 dancers), with an
additional 80000 people in the surrounding villages working to provide services
and supplies.
LANDMARK : GIANT ROOTS
Giant Roots from the
trees growing out of the ruins are perhaps the most distinctive feature of a Ta
Prohm and have prompted more writers to descriptive excess than any other
feature of Angkor.
No comments:
Post a Comment