Baphuon Temple is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia.

Baphuon Temple located in Angkor Thom, northwest of the Bayon.

Baphuon Temple built as the state temple of Udayadityavarman II dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva.

Baphuon Temple is the archetype of the Baphuon style.

Baphuon Temple adjoins the southern enclosure.

Baphuon Temple was built on land filled with sand.

Baphuon is located 200 metres (656 feet) northwest of the Bayon and south of Phimeanakas.

King Udayadiyavaman II constructed the Baphuon Temple, once among the Angkor Complex’s most stunning structures, in the middle of the 11th century. Baphuon Temple, which is 8 kilometers from Siem Reap Town, belonged to Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Angkor Kingdom (Cambodia). It is located northwest of the well-known Cambodian temple Bayon.

According to scientists, this temple’s size is ranked No. 2 in the world (behind Angkor Wat). However, the factor contributing to its reputation is tied to this temple’s peculiar fate. When scientists discovered Baphuon Temple in ruins 50 years ago, the exciting tale of the temple began. Time’s effects appeared to put the temple in danger of dissipating. The temple was going to be disassembled in 1960, but French experts had plans to rescue this priceless historical monument. In order to later arrange 3,000 stones into a more sturdy construction, they were separated and given numbers.

The Khmer Rouge army’s invasion (1970–1975) ultimately put an end to the attempt to restore the temple. Baphuon became a ruin as a result of this tragedy. The worst aspect is the total ruin of both the original appearance and the restoration documentation (made by French scientists). The restoration of Baphuon proceeded up until 1995.

Scientists had to work extremely hard for 50 years to reconstruct Baphuon and restore its original majesty in such a state. It is said that restoring Baphuon Temple is similar to solving the largest three-dimensional geometric problem in existence. Baphuon Temple recovered after numerous natural and human-caused annihilations. 2011 will see the temple’s official reopening to guests from all over the world. More so than its beautiful architecture, the temple’s vicissitudes in its fate have contributed to its fame.

Today, visitors can enter the temple through the main entrance on the east side after crossing the Naga Snake Bridge. The Naga serpent is revered by the Khmer Rouge as the God who protects and wards off evil spirits. In a manner, the bridge resembling a Naga serpent represents the rainbow connecting heaven and earth. This is how you get to the gods’ home on top of the temple. The preservation of these fundamental principles is respected by contemporary Khmers as well. When visitors enter the temple, there are eleven taboos posted, including don’t smoke and don’t make noise.

The grandeur of the massive stones set along the hallway and the large windows add to Baphuon’s beauty. On a hill, it is constructed in the manner of Khmer architecture. The temple is made more impressive by its high stone steps. Standing atop the temple, you can take in the stunning architecture of Angkor Thom, which is shrouded in the shadow of a thousand-year-old tree.

The intriguing tales of the illustrious Angkor civilization are written in ancient Sanskrit phrases on the aisle or in bas-reliefs on the stone. Additionally, visitors frequently linger longer to view the well-known Buddha statue carved on a 40-meter wall at the temple’s western entrance. With its unusual beauty, this building is recognized as a Baphuon architectural hallmark that helps people distinguish it from the many other temples in the area. This is further evidence of the religious conversion of Khmers over history. Baphuon was initially constructed with the intention of worshiping God Shiva, but since the 16th century, it has evolved into a Buddhist temple.

Baphuon Temple hosts thousands of visitors from abroad each day. A dilemma for contemporary scientists is that this temple still has riddles around it in addition to its repaired structure. So let’s go see this extraordinary treasure for ourselves and bask in its splendor!

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