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**Dag-Rune Z** @AskDRZ@pixelfed.social · Aug 19

The Compassionate symbolism of the Cat Temple

The name Prasat Banteay Chhmar original meaning was mini citadel temple. In modern Khmer its name can be translated Temple of cats, as Chhmar means cat.

A figure frequent in carvings and bas-reliefs here is the Lokeshvara, the compassionate Bodhisattva. In Mahayana Buddhism Lokeshvara is the ideal of compassion, as he elected not to reach perfect enlightenment as Buddha. Instead, he decided to help others struggling or suffering on their way to Buddhahood.

Lokeshvara was given eleven heads to better hear the suffering of humans, and a thousand arms so he could reach out and help all of them. He is often depicted with a lotus in one of his left hands.

The great god king Jayavarman VII was Mahayana Buddhist emperor, and the worship of Lokeshvara reached a peak during his reign. Several of the buildings built during his reign uses the Lokeshvara frequently.

Prasat Banteay Chhmar is one of the largest temples built in JVIIs time off the main imperial capital city Angkor Thom. It is famous for having many of the most exquisite versions of Lokeshvara depictions. This Lokeshvara in the photo is one of four depictions on the west side.

This temple is situated far west in today’s Cambodia, along the Angkor Khmer Highway, the main road connecting the main cities in the Khmer Angkor Empire.

Prasat Banteay Chhmar is 3 hours’ drive out of Siem Reap. Suitable for a daytrip, but there are lodgings nearby. Sisophon town is 63 km away. This temple is approximately 20 km east of the Thai border.

https://lucasvarro.com/blogs/angkorpedia/lokeshvara

#Prasat #Banteay #Chhmar #BanteayChhmar #Temple #JayavarmanVII #JVII #J7 #AngkorThom #Bayon #TaProhm #BanteayMeanchey #2018CE #ancient #art #architecture #sculpture #archive #worldculturalheritage #Lokeshvara #compassionate #Bodhisattva #Mahayana #khmer #empire #Buddhism #visitcambodia #visitsiemreap #Cambodia #countryside #daytrip #history #imperial #ប្រាសាទបន្ទាយឆ្មារ

Photo shows an old carving of a figure with an enormous number of arms and hands, symbolising Lokeshvara, a Boddhisattva targeting helping humanity. Some details are very worn out, like the face, but most of the carvings are still very visible. Around the main figures there are rows of figures praying or bringing offerings to the Lokeshvara. There is a decorated lintel on top. Over the rows of prayers and behind the bodhisattva there are trees, temple and stupa towers.

#បរាសាទបនទាយឆមារ

**Dag-Rune Z** @AskDRZ@pixelfed.social · Aug 13

Aug 13

Dag-Rune Z @AskDRZ@pixelfed.social

The mini citadel temple in Banteay Meanchey

Despite the name, the temple complex of Prasat Banteay Chhmar is one of the largest building works from the time of Jayavarman VII. This newly cleared covered walkway between the entrance building and the first temple to the west of the temple is an example of the building style of the era.

Including the great god kings face covering some of the towers in the central parts. Like what is done in Bayon State Temple in the centre of Angkor Thom.

Banteay Chhmar can be directly translated to “Mini/small fortress”. It is situated in Banteay Meanchey province, meaning The Fortress of Victory. This temple is situated far west in today’s Cambodia, but it is situated along the Angkor Khmer Highway, the main road connecting the main cities in the Khmer Angkor Empire together. This temple was directly connected to Angkor Thom via this highway.

Banteay Chhmar, along with its many satellite shrines and dried out reservoir (Baray), comprises one of the most important and least understood archaeological complexes from Cambodia's Angkor period.

It has been under careful and extensive restoration for the last ten years. This has uncovered buildings in the style of the great kings other buildings. There are some detailed decorated friezes and pilasters, and outer walls with extensive bas-reliefs.

Prasat Banteay Chhmar is 3 hours’ drive out of Siem Reap. Suitable for a daytrip, but there are lodgings nearby. Sisophon town is under one hour away with more lodging’s alternatives and small city offerings of food, drinks and shopping.

#Prasat #Banteay #Chhmar #BanteayChhmar #Temple #JayavarmanVII #JVII #J7 #AngkorThom #Bayon #TaProhm #BanteayMeanchey #2018CE #ancient #art #architecture #sculpture #archive #worldculturalheritage #khmer #empire #Buddhism #visitcambodia #visitsiemreap #takeonlyphotos #leaveonlyfootprints #Cambodia #countryside #daytrip #history #imperial #Pagoda #site #ប្រាសាទបន្ទាយឆ្មារ,

Photo shows an old, covered walkway structure of ornate pilasters keeping up a massive roof with decorated lintels and top roof coverings. Its newly cleared, and building stones are visible in the foreground and to the right side of the structure. In the background the entrance building the walkway is connected to is visible with its little tower. In the background the jungle is visible with thick, green foliage on a variation of trees, Including one “tree of life” type renown from this time in in Angkor.

**Adam H. Sparks** @adamhsparks@pixelfed.au · Apr 19

Apr 19

Adam H. Sparks @adamhsparks@pixelfed.au

Some years ago I joined The Giving Lens on a trip to Cambodia. It was a fantastic experience to meet other photographers and work with some local NGOs that supported local children. Unfortunately while I was there, I and a few others caught some virus. It was quick, I was better in ~36 hrs but I did miss a day or two of photos to sleep. However, I didn't miss Ta Prohm, the "Tomb Raider" temple.

#TGL #TheGivingLens #TaProhm #Cambodia #Nikon #D300s #NikonD300s #Photography #Temple #Cambodia #SiemReap #TombRaider

A large tree grows over the face of a stone temple structure slowly eating the structure, looking like water flowing down the structure's stone face.

An ancient, intricately carved stone temple covered in moss is slowly devoured by tree roots. Other building blocks lay about haphazardly in the foreground hinting at the grandeur in the heyday.

#tombraider

**Dag-Rune Z** @AskDRZ@pixelfed.social · Mar 13

Mar 13

Dag-Rune Z @AskDRZ@pixelfed.social

I call it a dancing tree of life

It is a classic shot of one of the main entrances to Ta Prohm Temple, but sometimes cliché becomes iconic.

The Ta Prohm is somehow most known for its tall trees and solid root system entangled in the buildings structure.

But it is also one of the more challenging temples to explore, because the structure itself, the park around it and the entrance gates. The area is so filled with interesting details and unexpected turns and ideas. This is one of the temples worth spending some time studying.

Ta Prohm (Khmer: ប្រាសាទតាព្រហ្ម, "Ancestor Brahma") is the modern name of the structure. Originally it was called Rajavihara (Khmer: រាជវិហារ, "royal monastery"). It was built during the reign of Jayavarman VII, the great ruler who is known for Bayon, the final version of Angkor Thom city and other massive social public works like hospitals and safe guesthouses all over the realm.

It was a monastery and university, build to honour the kings mother, with the gates honouring his brother and his guru. At the peak of its operation, 12 500 people lived within Ta Phrom temple complex and appx 80 000 lived in villages around it, supporting the institution.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ta_Prohm

#Angelina #moment" #dancing #tree #life #treeoflife #jolie #siem #reab #siemreap #cambodia #kampuchea #worldheritage #khmer #khmerempire #worldculturalheritage #mobilephotography #2018CE #architecture #angkor #goldenage #taprohm #Ta #Prohm #J7

Photo shows an old temple gate in the middle of several trees, of which one is extremely tall, white and rises as an "umbrella" over the main gate. In front of the temple gate there is a low stone bridge leading into to the fundament of the temple. The stone is coloured in shades of brown, beige and reddish. It is a sunny day and the sky in the background is blue with some light white clouds.

#j7

**Dag-Rune Z** @AskDRZ@pixelfed.social · Mar 11

Mar 11

Dag-Rune Z @AskDRZ@pixelfed.social

Framing the temple to the tree

Ta Prohm temple is often refered to as the the trees of life temple.

It was only proper to find a way of making the temple frame oe of the famous tall trees.

Several of the Banyan trees in this temple served as background in the Tomb Raider movie, making them instant, yet woody, celebrities.

Ta Prohm (Khmer: ប្រាសាទតាព្រហ្ម, "Ancestor Brahma") is the modern name of the structure. Originally it was called Rajavihara (Khmer: រាជវិហារ, "royal monastery"). It was built during the reign of the great ruler Jajavarman VII. Originally a monastery and university, and built to honour the kings mother, with the gates each side honouring the kings brother and his guru.

#Angelina #moment" #dancing #tree #life #treeoflife #jolie #angkor #thom #angkorthom #siem #reab #siemreab #cambodia #kampuchea #worldheritage #khmer #khmerempire #testing #huawei #mate9 #pro #worldculturalheritage #mobilephotography #2019CE #architecture #angkor #goldenage #taprohm #Ta #Prohm

Photo shows a tall, white tree stretching up towards a blue sky. It is framed by ancient temple structures on three sides, and some lower trees on the fourth side.

#prohm

**Joshua Haller** @jjhaller@mastodon.social · Apr 4, 2024

Apr 4, 2024

Joshua Haller @jjhaller@mastodon.social

If you’ve been following my work, you’ll know that I LOVE to take pictures of open doorways or windows. Early in my photography journey a close friend and I would send each other these shots back on MySpace. We called them ‘portals’ and would invite the other to imagine where they would lead. I’ve always enjoyed finding these portals where I can. Let me know what you think? Where would these portals take you?