What is wat? Angkor Wat is a masterpiece of Asian culture

If we consider the architectural monuments of Buddhism, we can observe with an unaided eye their originality and dissimilarity to Christian cultural objects. Religion, which does not deny the existence of the gods, does not give them the main role in human life.

Buddhism does not recognize rock and believes that the fate of people depends only on their own efforts. Religion, which preaches the infinity of the universe, is often called self-salvation. She affirms the differences between God and Buddha, saying that the latter never punishes a person.

The main ideas about the fragility of all earthly and numerous rebirths after death were reflected not only in legends, musical works, but also in religious architecture.

Buddhist Architecture

At an early stage of the emergence of Buddhism, small cave temples were spread, but over time, there was a need to build large and roomy buildings. The first Buddhist monastery was erected inaccessible place, so that the ministers were in total solitude and nothing prevented them from meditating.

Completely man-made religious buildings are stupas, the architectural form of which originates from the funerary hills. They were raised as a sign of respect for the deceased. The Buddhists themselves believe that the stupa conceals only the energy of good.

Looking like towers or hemispheres, they were built of brick and stone. In the fenced stupas on all sides, valuable and revered relics were located, and located in the center of the Buddha became a symbol of nirvana.

What is wat?

In this article we will talk about the famous temple building, which has no equal in its special greatness. Storing unsolved secrets, the petrified miracle causes equal interest among tourists and scientists.

Before you start talking about it, you need to understand what is wat. This is not only the temple itself, but a whole complex, which includes a monastery, bell towers, hotels and shelters for pilgrims, hospitals, schools. That is, this is a real town with buildings for various purposes, closed from gaze and fenced off by walls. Its main purpose is to serve the cult.

How is the word "wat" translated?

What is "wat" in translation from Sanskrit? The word means "the land that is enclosed", thereby reflecting the essence of the structures. From the earliest language of the Pali it is translated as "a place for the temple" and carries a wider meaning. By the way, in the Khmer language there is the word "woat", one of the meanings of which is "admiration" or "worship".

Now it becomes clear what is cotton and why these buildings, known for their special, unusual beauty, are so attractive to every traveler.

A Mysterious Interest

The symbol of the national pride of the Khmer is one of the most mysterious sights of Southeast Asia, located in Cambodia, and is an ancient religious structure. Angkor Wat, which stretches over more than 200 hectares, has no analogues in world culture.

A unique complex, first built as a dedication to the god Vishnu, never received crowds of pilgrims, but was erected as a place for the habitation of the gods. Another of his purposes is funerary, because kings are buried in it. The main buildings were intended to visit only the spiritual elite and the authorities of the Khmer state.

After 1432, the Buddhist monks began to answer for the Hindu temple , which now live in it.

Impersonation of the Universe

Initially, the Hindu, and later the Buddhist temple complex included urban buildings, shopping bazaars and the royal palace, from which now there is nothing left. The three-level composition is 65 meters high with a huge number of stairs, junctions and galleries, resembling a giant pyramid embodying the universe, with five towers visually reminiscent of corn cobs.

Exact calculations

A miniature copy of the Earth model, which makes an indelible impression, is recognized as one of the most impressive structures in the world.

Polished stones, from which a man-made miracle is composed, without a single seam, were perfectly matched to each other, and no mortar was used during their laying. And this is one of the mysteries of the temple: it is unclear how such exact mathematical calculations were made many centuries ago, and how the installation of multi-tonal structures was carried out.

Unsolved mystery

The huge city-temple of Angkor Wat was abandoned by people more than 500 years ago. The lush vegetation of the jungle absorbed it, and the ruthless time and humid climate did not spare the creation of Asian culture, turning it into ruins. No one knows why the inhabitants left the city, although many Khmer researchers have been trying to raise the veil of this mystery, but so far unsuccessfully.

After 1992, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the temple complex began to be restored, and now it accepts travelers who want to enjoy the colorful views of the impressive masterpiece.