Baksei Chamkrong Temple walking video tour | Angkor Temples 2023 [4K]

Baksei Chamkrong Temple: A Hidden Gem of Angkor
If you are visiting the ancient city of Angkor, you might notice a small temple on the left side of the road as you enter the South gate of Angkor Thom. This is Baksei Chamkrong, a 10th century temple dedicated to Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and transformation. Baksei Chamkrong means "The Bird Who Shelters Under Its Wings" in Khmer, and it has a fascinating legend behind its name.
According to the legend, there was once a king who tried to flee Angkor during a siege by a foreign army. As he was running away, he saw a huge bird flying over him. The bird landed and spread its wings, offering shelter to the king. The king was amazed by this miraculous sign and decided to stay and fight for his kingdom. He eventually defeated the invaders and restored peace and prosperity to Angkor. To commemorate this event, he built a temple at the spot where the bird had saved him, and named it Baksei Chamkrong.
The temple is one of the earliest examples of brick and laterite construction in Angkor, with sandstone decorations on the lintels and pediments. The temple has a pyramidal shape with four stairways leading to the summit, where a single tower stands. The tower has a square base and four openings, one on each side. The east opening is the main entrance, while the other three are false doors. The tower used to house a golden image of Shiva, but it is now empty.
The most impressive feature of the temple is the main lintel above the east door, which depicts Indra, the king of gods, riding his three-headed elephant Airavata. On either side of Indra are two images of Ganesh, the elephant-headed son of Shiva, riding on his father's trunk. The lintel is carved with exquisite details and shows the influence of Indian art styles. There are also inscriptions on both sides of the door, which praise the Khmer kings from Jayavarman II to Rajendravarman II, who completed the temple in 968 CE.
Baksei Chamkrong is often overlooked by tourists who are more attracted by the larger and more famous temples nearby. However, it is worth a visit for its historical significance, architectural beauty, and mythical charm. It is a hidden gem that reveals a glimpse of the ancient Khmer civilization and culture.
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[@veramann]

Nice video. This temple looks similar to the one in Mexico. What a coincidence.