Bayon temple
Bayon is a mountain temple dedicated to Mahayana Buddhism. Located at the intersection of the north-south and east-west roads, this temple is the central structure of the ancient fortified city of Angkor Thom. With its captivating sculptures, it is one of the most beautiful and mysterious sites of Angkor and Asia. The name of the temple even means "the magical mountain." For tourists visiting this part of Cambodia, it is an essential destination that allows them to discover and appreciate an ancient, magical atmosphere.
History
Bayon was built around the beginning of the 13th century. It was the last mountain temple constructed by King Jayavarman VII and, at the height of his reign, served as a state temple.
In the 13th century, during the reign of King Jayavarman VIII (1243-1295), around 1350, the temple was converted to Hinduism, the official religion of the Khmers at that time. Many images of Buddha were destroyed and transformed into Hindu images, and different structures were created to honor the deities of this religion.
In the 1940s, the temple was restored by the EFEO team. Using the method of anastylosis, they rebuilt the towers featuring Buddha faces and cleared the central sanctuary.
Along with the Angkor site, Bayon was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1992.
In order to gather more information about the site, archaeologists conducted excavations in 1933. Fourteen meters below the pit beneath the main sanctuary, they discovered the remains of a large stone statue, 3.60 meters high. Known as Mucalinda, this Buddha statue, seated on the coiled body of the naga, is considered a representation of King Jayavarman VII.
Visiting Bayon Temple
Covering an area of 22,500 m², Bayon temple has a simple and modest layout. It is a pyramid with three levels, housing within its enclosures galleries, towers, and a central sanctuary.
Designed in the architectural style of Angkorian mountain temples, Bayon represents Mount Meru, the cosmic and symbolic center of the Hindu universe. In contrast to other Khmer temples, which are usually surrounded by a moat and concentric walls, Bayon features both simple and complex architecture. Its structure is like a labyrinth of galleries and passages.
Bayon temple has three enclosures. The third section, which is 160 meters long and 140 meters wide, contains several galleries with four pavilions. The second enclosure, covering 80 meters long and 70 meters wide, features corner galleries and inner galleries. Unlike the third section, the galleries here are narrow, circular, and somewhat dark. The final enclosure stands out due to the central sanctuary that sits at the heart of the temple.
The central tower of Bayon is a pyramid-shaped structure, 42 meters high. Surmounted by towers featuring Buddha faces, it is surrounded by eight chapels arranged in a cross shape. Unlike Hindu sanctuaries, which are rectangular, this one is circular. According to Buddhist prayer practices, pilgrims are required to walk around the central sanctuary, which is the origin of its architectural style. On the four sides of the tower, there are four vestibules: the western vestibule is dedicated to Vishnu, the northern one to Shiva, and the southern one to Buddha.
The Heritage Value of the Sculptures at the Temple
Bayon temple represents the zenith of Mahayana Buddhist art. Its exceptional decoration is a true cultural treasure for the Khmer people. Indeed, the temple is most famous for its towers with Buddha faces. Majestic, mystical, and captivating, these sculptures are ubiquitous throughout the site. They can be found inside the enclosures, above the towers or galleries, and on the entrance doors.
Originally, Bayon had 54 stone towers, each displaying gigantic faces of Buddha on all four facades. The towers collectively feature over 200 sculptures, with enigmatic smiles and mysterious gazes directed towards the four cardinal directions.
Today, only 37 towers remain, with the tallest reaching over 20 meters high. Among these exceptional sculptures, tourists will immediately feel as though they are being watched.
The faces on the towers have sparked much speculation. Archaeologists have suggested that they were inspired by the face of Lokeshvara and Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, or Brahma. These Buddhist deities are known for their benevolent gaze directed towards the four cardinal points. Other experts believe these faces represent King Jayavarman VII. Regardless, these constructions reflect the omnipresence of religious deities within the ancient city of Angkor.
In addition to the Buddhist sculptures, the bas-reliefs found at Bayon also evoke Khmer culture. Most of the information about the site is gathered through these works of art. The carvings depict the daily life and past of the Angkorian people. During your visit, you will admire sculptures of the marketplace, battle elephants of the Khmer army, naval battles between the Khmers and the Chams, as well as apsara dancers.
On the third enclosure, you can appreciate an extraordinary tableau of bas-reliefs. Over 1,200 meters in length, the facades of the galleries reveal about 11,000 sculptures. Here, several engravings depict battles, historical and cultural events that marked the glorious reign of King Jayavarman VII. Some sculptures also highlight the daily life of the Khmer people. Inside the inner gallery of the second enclosure, the sculptures focus on religious and mythological scenes.
How to get there
Inside the vast Angkor park, it is pleasant and easy to get around by tuk-tuk. Several roads lead directly to Bayon from Angkor Thom.
Hours
The temple is open daily from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
