The grandiose temple complex in Cambodia. Vanished empire

I saw an excellent aerial panorama of the world-famous Cambodian temple, was impressed, and decided to tell you more. But for starters, be sure to fly over this ancient structure anyway. Soak up the spirit of an ancient civilization. The huge temple with pointed towers is a miracle of symmetry. Symbolizes the sacred mountain from Indian mythology. Around the temple are moats, which symbolize the oceans washing the foot of the divine mountain. Angkor Wat is the largest temple complex in the world. It is interesting for its galleries, towers, pavilions and gates, richly decorated with stone carvings, but all of them are inferior in grandeur to the central temple.

In 1150, the gigantic Angkor Wat complex was erected in Cambodia. Most likely, the construction took about 30 years, so we can assume that Angkor Wat began to be built somewhere in 1110. The ruins of Angkor lie about 240 km northwest of the capital of Cambodia (formerly Kampuchea) - the city of Phnom Penh, not far from big lake Tonle Sap. Although, in theory, the temples of Angkor Wat are the place in India, as they are a typical example of Hindu architecture.
Clickable 3000 px Angkor Wat is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and serves as both a sanctuary and a tomb for Suryavarman himself. Angkor Wat for the Khmers, who ruled from the 9th to the 15th century in Cambodia, is something like a heavenly palace in which the spirit of kings can reside. In front of the temple is a moat 200 meters wide. During the rainy season, which in Cambodia can last up to 4 months, the moat is filled with water. In addition, several more lakes have been dug within the city. The only way to get inside is through the main portal in the wall that surrounds Angkor Wat in a 260 square kilometer area.
The temple itself is built from several platforms, following one after another. The first platform (180 by 180 meters) is 3.5 meters high, the second platform (110 by 115 meters) rises by 7 meters, and the third (75 by 75 meters) is 13 meters above the ground. All three terraces are surrounded by galleries with gable roofs. The towers are interconnected by absolutely symmetrical galleries. All buildings are symmetrically located. This is strange, because in ancient times the Khmers were not familiar with the laws of balance. All buildings in Angkor Wat are distinguished by the severity of lines and clarity. Lush jewelry does not match this. Each stone of the temple is covered with carvings or bas-reliefs. What is only the gallery of the first platform 600 meters long. There are 8 panels with a total area of more than 1000 square meters. Most of all, scenes from the life of the gods are depicted. Lots of erotic motives. The most popular figure found here is the dancing goddess Apsara. In the center of the complex on the Bayon temple is depicted the face of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, one of the main characters of Buddhist mythology. In addition to the images of the gods in the temples, there are historical paintings. For example, those that depict local rulers, warriors going to battle.
There are 5 main shrines in the temple. The first is located in a 60-meter tower, which can only be entered through gates, stairs and open courtyards. Around this tower are four more, where the remaining shrines are kept. There are more than 200 small temples in Angkor Wat.
Tourists usually start their journey through Angkor Wat from the western entrance. Climbing up a short flight of stairs to the first cross-shaped terrace guarded by giant stone lions, one comes to a long sidewalk leading to the center of your journey. The gaze falls on the gopura (gopura - entrance, entrance in Hindu terminology) with three towers, the upper part of which is dilapidated. The shape of this gopura is so developed and elongated that it almost looks like a separate building. A long closed gallery, through which one has to pass, extends along the moat in both directions. This is the main facade of Angkor Wat. In the middle there is a passage narrow enough for the main entrance, and along the edges of the gallery you can go through huge arches located at ground level. Arches used to serve as passageways for elephants, horses and carts.
From the central entrance, the guides lead tourists to the right and lead them to the end of the gallery, paying attention to the windows with chiseled columns and skillfully carved bas-reliefs on the walls. At the end of the gallery you can see all five towers of Angkor.
In the courtyard, on the left and right, there are two small buildings - these are libraries. They, like all the buildings of Angkor Wat, have the shape of a cross. Behind the libraries there are two swimming pools (65×50 meters). The left one is always filled with rainwater, while the right one is usually dry. Standing in front of the left pool, you can clearly see the 10 towers of Angkor (five of them are reflected in the water).
Between the first and second levels of the complex there are cross-shaped passage galleries with square columns dividing the courtyard into four parts. Some columns are decorated with Khmer and Sanskrit inscriptions. All the rest of the free space is given over to elegant rosettes, cornices and bas-reliefs. In fact, there is no place that the carver's hand would not touch. Further up the stairs you can get to the gallery of the second level (100 × 115 meters). Its main feature is the image of more than 1500 sculptures of beautiful goddesses.
The next third, and last, level was allowed to visit only the king and the monks. Twelve stairs with 40 steps each - one in the center of each side and 2 at the corners - rise at a 70 degree angle to the most important level. The steps are very narrow, so you need to go up sideways, and go down with your back, that is, facing the steps.
Angkor Wat could not reach us. There were too many who wanted to destroy it, even after Angkor Wat was opened. Today, traces of shooting are visible on the walls of the temple. According to the political beliefs of the Khmer Rouge, the country needed to be freed from religious dependence, so numerous figures of the gods were beheaded. Now, after two decades, restoration work begins. Oddly enough, but this powerful complex was learned relatively recently - about 100 years ago. Lost in the Cambodian jungle near Lake Tonle Sap, the French traveler Charles Emile Buivo wandered for a long time among dense thickets, giant trees, frightened by predators and tortured by clouds of mosquitoes, but suddenly stumbled upon ancient city. Prior to this, the existence of this complex was not even suspected. This is how Angkor Wat (“Capital Pagoda”) was “extracted from oblivion” - the pearl of the craftsmanship of the ancient Khmers, the world's largest religious building, erected in the middle of the 12th century, during the reign of King Suryavarman II.

The history of the Angkor period dates back to 800 BC, when the Khmer king Jayavaman II declared the independence of Kampuchea (Cambodia) from Java and founded the capital of the new state - the city of Hariharalaya, located in the north of Lake Tonle Sap. From that moment on, Jayavaman II was active in seizing the territories of neighboring states, and by 802 BC Kampuchea owns lands that now belong to China and Vietnam. In the same year 802, he declares himself a full-fledged ruler and creates a cult of worship of the god Shiva.

In 889, Yasovarman I ascends the throne and decides to start building a new capital - Yasodharmapura, which in Sanskrit means "holy city". Keeping the tradition, he also, like his predecessors, builds a huge reservoir. The construction of reservoirs was associated not only with the life and needs of the city, but also with the observance of the tradition, the roots of which go back to the myth of the sacred Mount Meru, surrounded by a great ocean. Mount Meru in religious construction was symbolized by a temple surrounded by water, and the lingam *, located inside the temple, symbolized the ruler, who was the viceroy of God on earth. Yasovarman I built his temple on the hill of Phnom Bokeng and surrounded it with a moat, which was filled with water from the reservoir he created. During his reign, Yasovarman I built many temples and carried out no less reforms.

Over the next 300 years, the great rulers of the Khmer Empire built many temple complexes, which, after many centuries, brought to us the story of the life of a great civilization. The last temple was erected during the reign of Jayavaman VII. After his death, centuries-old construction stopped.

It is known that already by the year 1000, during the period of its highest prosperity, the city occupied an area of 190 sq. km, which meant that he was largest city medieval world. The city of Angkor was the size of present-day Manhattan. On the vast expanse of its streets, squares, terraces and temples, 600,000 people lived, and in the vicinity of the city - at least a million more. The inhabitants of Angkor were the Khmers, who professed Hinduism, brought to Southeast Asia in the 1st century AD. e. The earliest references to Angkor in Cambodian chronicles date only to the 15th century. Unfortunately, there are no documents left from the most ancient people. They used a very fragile material as a record material that did not stand up to time. But the inscriptions carved in stone are of great historical importance, there are more than a thousand of them, most of them are made in Khmer and Sanskrit. It is not known how the complex was built - not a single source has survived, except for a legend that speaks of the divine origin of the city. According to this legend, Prince Preah Ket Mealea was a guest in heaven with the god Indra. He lived there in a beautiful palace. However, the heavenly dancers did not like the prince, and they begged God to return him to earth. In order not to offend Preah Ket Mealea, Indra ordered the heavenly architect Preah Pushnuk to build a palace-temple on earth exactly the same as the one in which the prince was visiting. So, according to legend, Angkor Wat was born.

It is absolutely certain that Angkor Wat was a thriving city. A completely incomprehensible reason - why did it turn into an abandoned city, where did all its inhabitants go? After all, the fertile soil gave three crops of rice a year, the Tonle Sap lake abounded with fish, and the dense forests - with various game. There are currently two main theories. According to the first, in 1171 the city was defeated by the Chams - the neighbors of the Khmers. And in 1431, the Thais finally finished off the already weakened people. But, then it is completely incomprehensible why the invaders did not occupy the reclaimed lands ...

There is a second theory, which is denied by the scientific world, as it is completely fantastic. It relies on a Buddhist legend: the emperor was so offended by the son of one of the priests that he ordered the boy to be drowned in the waters of Lake Tonle Sap. In response, the angry god brought the lake out of its banks and crushed Angkor along with all its inhabitants.

Angkor Wat is perhaps the largest religious building ever erected by man. It is much larger than any Muslim mosque, European cathedral, any pagoda or pyramid. However, despite all the historical and cultural value, the complex is threatened by a serious problem. Unfortunately, they do not want to take seriously the reconstruction of Angkor Wat, as it requires very high costs. But this historical monument ancient culture is in a very deplorable state. The war that has been waged here for the past two decades, as well as the looting of temples by thieves, had very detrimental consequences for the monuments. But, in addition, the inexorably advancing jungle vegetation destroys the Angkor complexes, its stone buildings are covered with mosses and lichens.

Today, the Angkor temple complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Interesting fact: all the temples of Angkor were built without the use of cement and any other binding materials. During the construction of temples, blocks of sandstone were most often used, which were interlocked according to the principle of a castle, and the fortress walls were laid out from tuff.

Angkor Wat is surrounded by a 190 m wide moat. In the old days, crocodiles were bred in it. On the western side of the moat, a stone dam crosses, which is the entrance to the territory of the temple. The territory of Angkor Wat is walled with a length of 1025 m by 800 m. A long and wide road leads from the gate to the temple, laid along an embankment that rises almost one and a half meters above the ground.

Angkor Wat has survived much better than many other buildings of the Angkor complex, which is explained by the fact that after the last settlements left these places, Buddhist monks lived in Angkor Wat. They live here and now.

The complex was discovered on January 22, 1861 by the French traveler Henri Muo. In the 1970s, some of the buildings and sculptures of the complex were vandalized by Pol Pot's soldiers. In 1922, along with other buildings, the city of Angkor was taken under the auspices of UNESCO.

A bicycle is a good idea for walking around the temples. Of course, only if you intend to stay in Siem Reap for more than a day.

Most of the local population prefer this type of transport when they visit Angkor, which means you have the opportunity to be closer to the local population, which entails not only joy and pleasure, but more low prices for food and drinks on the territory of the temple complexes.

White Bicycles is a fairly large local bike rental company. They are supported by many hotels and guest houses, because the main percentage of their income goes to charity, in support of educational programs for children from low-income families.

Taxis are a fairly common option for traveling around temples. It is convenient for those who want to "touch" the treasures of Angkor, but prefer such trips in an air-conditioned car cabin. Negative side such walks can probably be that you find yourself isolated from sounds, smells and many other delights.

The cost of one day taxi rental ranges from $25 to $35. Basically, the price depends on what time you plan to start walking around the temple complexes. If you prefer to meet the sunrise on one of the wonderful terraces of Angkor Wat, then the cost of renting a taxi will be higher.

Renting mopeds by foreigners in Siem Reap is prohibited by law. However, some manage to bring a moped from Phnom Penh. If you have found a way to rent a moped, then we strongly recommend that you leave it in paid parking lots, because. there is a huge possibility of theft or theft.

For those who want to get a bird's eye view of Angkor Wat, Angkor Balloon Company can offer you a trip in a balloon basket. The route is fixed and there is no possibility to change course, the flight altitude is about 200 meters above the ground. The cost of pleasure is $ 11 per person (up to 30 people are placed in the basket). Unfortunately, this type of travel is not always available due to weather conditions.

Elephant travel was at its peak in the early 20th century. It was on elephants that the first routes through the temples of Angkor were laid. Now, of course, everything is more civilized and put on the track of organized tourism. You can ride an elephant from Angkor Thom gate to Bayon temple. The cost of such a trip will cost you about $ 10. But in a place called Angkor Village, you can not only book an elephant ride, but even get a real lesson from professional drovers. They will teach you how to sit on the elephant confidently and you will learn some commands to control the elephant. The cost of such a course is approximately $50. Popular with group travelers. The cost of renting a minibus with a driver (for 12 people) is approximately $50 per day.

Perhaps the most popular transport for moving around the Angkor complex. Rickshaw cabs are quite comfortable and an important bonus is that they can protect you from the rain. If you are lucky with a driver, he may turn out to be a good guide, and also, knowing the temporary flows of tourists on the main routes in the complexes, he can help you avoid the crowd of photographing and screaming people. The cost of renting a motor rickshaw ranges from $10 to $20 per day.

As we said earlier, walking is not the most convenient way to travel, and for good reason. Firstly, Angkor Thom is located 8 km from Siem Reap. Secondly, many picturesque temples are located at a distance of 15-10 km from Angkor Thom. It is also important to take into account the fact that after 11 o'clock in the morning the sun is at its zenith and long hiking can be a very serious burden on the body. However, if the facts described above did not scare you away, you decided to walk, then discover the road that lies behind the wall of Angkor Thom. This route will open you not only a little famous temples, hidden in thickets of tropical trees, but will also give you the opportunity to enjoy the singing of birds and the music of the jungle.

By the way, literally in August 2014

Angkor Wat is a giant temple complex dedicated to the god Vishnu in Cambodia. It is the largest religious building ever built and one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II (1113-1150).

Angkor Wat is located 5.5 km north of modern city Siem Reap, the capital of the Cambodian province of the same name, and is part of a temple complex built in the area ancient capital Khmer states, the city of Angkor. Angkor covers an area of 200 km²; recent research suggests that it may have covered an area of about 3,000 km² and a population of up to half a million inhabitants, making it one of the largest human settlements of the pre-industrial era.

It was discovered only in the 19th century by the French traveler Henri Muo. Many bizarre buildings with sprouted trees and shrubs appeared to his astonished gaze. Currently, this complex attracts many tourists from all over the world.

13th century Khmer Buddhist temple at Angkor Wat, Cambodia.

Trees sprouted through the buildings.

Angkor Wat from a bird's eye view. The surrounding moat is clearly visible.

Pre Rup, one of the many ruined temples of Angkor Wat. It was built in 961 by order of the Khmer king Rajendravarman, who was also buried here.

Statue in Bayon temple.

The terrace of Angkor Thom is made up of elephant statues.

Bizarre combinations of trees and buildings, corridors and labyrinths of Bayon.

Apsaras, detail of the lower pediment. Bayon style, end 12 - early. 13th century, sandstone.

Terrace of the Leper King at Angkor Thom.

Banteay Srei (left): This is a 10th century Khmer architecture temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Banteay Samre (Right): Located about 500m east of East Baray, is one of the temples of Angkor.

Banteay Srey Temple is a 10th century Cambodian temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

Built in the late 12th century or early 13th century: Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom.

Through the roots and trunks of trees, the image of the Buddha appears.

Buddhist monks in front of the pool, which is located in front of the central temple of Angkor Wat.

Two small temples, Thommanon and Chao, are located to the east of Angkor Thom.

Bas-relief on the wall in the Terrace of the Leper King, part of the Royal Square of Angkor Thom - Angkor Wat.

Ta Prohm Temple, Angkor, Cambodia.

Bas-reliefs and corridors of the Buddhist temple of Angkor Ta Prohm. It dates back to the 12th century and was built by King Jayavarman VII, who is considered one of the greatest rulers of the ancient Khmer empire.

Tight interlacing of tree roots and stones of Ta Prohm temple.

The heads of mythical characters are located above the moat leading to the southern gate of Angkor Thom.

This is artificial island with Buddhist temple Preah Khan Baray.

Phimeanakas was "built in the late 10th century, during the reign of Rajendravarman (941-968), and then rebuilt by Suryavarman II as a three-tiered pyramid, like a Hindu temple.

Phnom Bakheng is located between Angkor Wat and Bayon.

Prasat Preah Palilay.

Prasat Sister Prat is a series of 12 towers in Angkor Thom.

View of the ruins of the Temple of Preah Khan at Angkor in Cambodia. Preah Khan was built by the Khmer king Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century, dedicated to his father, Dharanindravarman II.

Tree roots and Ta Prohm temple.

A boy plays in the pool in front of the central temple of Angkor Wat.

Sunset over Angkor Wat.

On the left is Ta Prohm, on the right is Angkor Wat.

One of the most famous places in the complex is the empty doorway to Ta Prohm.

Dressed up statue in the Bayon temple. Here the monks talk to the spirits.

Looking through the many doors of the Angkor Wat temple complex.

The pond Srah Srang was dug in the middle of the 10th century and the staircase is flanked by statues of lions.

The 12th century temple is dedicated to the Buddha.

Temple of Ta Prohm.

In the southeastern part of Asia is located unusually beautiful country with a great history - Cambodia. For a long time this kingdom was closed from tourists, but today it has become very popular. tourist destination. This exotic country attracts travelers with its mild climate, warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand, white sandy beaches, and, of course, majestic temple structures.

People come from all over the world to see the mysterious shrines with their own eyes - ancient temples of cambodia built over a thousand years ago.

How and when were temples built?

The construction of the sanctuaries was carried out by the ancestors of the current Cambodians - the Khmers, who from time immemorial inhabited the territory of the kingdom. This people originated, according to legend, from the connection between the daughter of the king of snake-like creatures - the Nagas, and an Indian hermit.

Grandiose construction began in the 9th century, when numerous Khmer principalities under the leadership of Emperor Jayavarman II united into a great state - the Khmer Empire with its capital in the city of Angkor. In it, the founder of the dynasty built the first temple complex, and his successors subsequently continued this work. Today, all the surviving temples of the ancient capital form the main attraction of the country - the Angkor temple complex. Its size is astounding temples of angkor in cambodia spread over an area of over 200,000 sq. km.

The construction of religious buildings in the capital continued until the XII century - it was during this period that the most famous temples of Cambodia were built. By that time, a huge city had already been built around them, which was inhabited by more than a million inhabitants. In the X-XIII centuries. the great Khmer Empire became the most developed state in the whole South-East Asia militarily and economically.

However, already in the second half of the 15th century, after a long siege by the Siamese, its capital fell and was destroyed.

Residents were forced to flee and abandon the city. Over the years, Angkor was swallowed up by the jungle, the humid climate did not spare many living quarters and soon there was nothing left of them, but the temple structures managed to survive. For 400 years people forgot about ancient angkor until in 1860 the French traveler and naturalist Henri Muo came across her in impenetrable thickets.

angkor wat

The largest temple on the entire globe is the Cambodian Angkor Wat, towering a few kilometers from the city of Siemreal. This shrine was erected in the first half of the XII century in honor of the supreme god in Hinduism - Vishnu. King Suryavarman II ruled the empire in those days.

According to scientists, the construction of this structure required 5 million tons of stones - the same amount as was spent on the construction of the second largest Egyptian pyramid Khafra (Chephren).

The ancient builders put a lot of effort into creating an amazing architectural creation - all boulders, from which this sacred structure is built, are artistically processed - plots from the history of the Khmers, Hindu mythology and ancient Indian epics are carved on all surfaces.

But the most surprising thing is that the Khmers did not use any solutions to fix the blocks together - the stones are hewn and fitted to each other so that sometimes it is simply impossible to find the joints between them.

Main cult complex Cambodia angkor wat temple consists of 3 buildings, inside - 5 lotus-shaped towers, the height of the central one reaches 65 meters. The complex is surrounded by a moat 190 meters wide, which is always filled with water due to heavy rains. According to the plan of the builders, this grandiose project symbolizes the abode of Brahma - the sacred mountain Meru: the central tower is the peak, the walls are rocks, and the huge moat is the world ocean, washing the Universe from all sides.

Undoubtedly this temple in Cambodia - 8th wonder of the world , after all that's what historians around the world call it.

bayon

Not far from Angkor Wat is the second largest ancient religious building. This is the Bayon temple, rebuilt in the XII century under the ruler Jayavarman VII.

Bayon Temple in Cambodia has 54 towers, and not by chance - each of them was a symbol of the province, which was under the rule of the ruler. 4 faces are carved on each tower - one from each side of the world.

The ancient builders managed to do the impossible - the expressions of all these faces change depending on the lighting and time of day.

They can be kind, smile, be sad, and sometimes with their eyes they completely inspire chilling horror. It is noteworthy that in whatever part of the temple a person is, he will always be under the gaze of stone eyes. It is believed that the carved faces are the face of the deity of compassion Avalokiteshvara. The prototype of his appearance was King Jayavarman VII.

Initially, the central tower of the temple had a gold coating, but it was torn off by the Siamese who captured the city. A four-meter figure of Buddha was located on it, but it was also destroyed. The walls of the temple are covered with beautiful bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the life of Cambodians - military campaigns, bloody battles, worship of gods, circus performances, feasts and much more.

Ta Prom

Ta Prohm Temple (Ta Prohm, Ta Prum) is another Buddhist religious building that is part of the structure of the city of Angkor. This temple-monastery was built at the end of the 12th century in honor of the mother of King Jayavarman VII. That is why, according to scientists, in its design in bas-reliefs and sculptures Apsaras predominate - the demigods of Hindu mythology, the spirits of water and clouds.

Great popularity Ta Prohm temple in Cambodia acquired in 2001 after the release of the film "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" - it was on this abandoned structure that Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie wandered.

At present, the complex is an amazing spectacle in the best traditions of surrealism - all buildings from the base to the roof are entangled in bizarre dense vegetation. Here the roots and trunks of trees have climbed walls for centuries, framed doors and windows, broken stone roofs, making their way to freedom.

It seems that in this territory there was once a merciless battle between the gods and nature, and the latter won, making the unique structure part of the earth. Now Ta Prohm and the jungle are an indivisible whole.

Bapuon

In the very center holy city Angkor Thom is another amazing temple with a height of 49 meters - Bapuon. It appeared in the 11th century during the reign of Udayadityavarman II. This building is shaped like a five-stage pyramid, consisting of three tiers.

Special bas-reliefs distinguish Bapuon from other sanctuaries - they are made in the form of small squares in which scenes from the everyday life of the Khmers are carved. In its young years, the temple struck with splendor.

Back in the 13th century, the Chinese diplomat Zhou Daguan admired him, calling him "a truly amazing sight." Bapuon has reached our days in a very deplorable state, and the reason for this is the sandy foundation on which it was built. It turned out to be unstable, and the grandiose building began to rapidly collapse.

Lesser known temples in Cambodia

In Cambodia, there are several hundred ancient places of worship that fascinate with their beauty and original architecture. The Koh Ker temple complex, located 90 km from Angkor, is considered very interesting. Tourists rarely visit this place, because it is not easy to get there. The temple-mountain Prasat Prang, 32 meters high, attracts the most attention in this complex.

This temple in Cambodia also called the "pyramid of death" due to the fact that at its top there is a deep well. According to legend, after sacrifices to demons, lifeless bodies were thrown into it. It was believed that this well leads to the underworld.

Another amazingly beautiful temple is Preah Vihea, or, as it is also called, the “Temple in Heaven”. It was erected on a mountain, at an altitude of 600 meters above sea level. It is considered a very significant building for the ancient Khmers, since it was built for a very long time - the construction stretched out during the reign of seven kings.

The Buddhist temple of Neakpean, built in the 12th century, is distinguished by its originality. It is located in Angkor, near the city of Da Nang, on a small artificially created island in the middle of a reservoir. According to an ancient legend, the water in these places is endowed with healing properties. Actually, this prompted King Javayarman VII to build a temple here.

Another miracle of Khmer architecture is the Banteay Srei Temple, located in the province of Siemreal. It was built in honor of the god Shiva in the X century. The temple became famous for its decoration - all its walls are covered with jewelry carvings, which were practically untouched by time. Another feature of this building is that it houses ancient pink statues of guardian monkeys.

English researchers G. Hancock and D. Grisby conducted large-scale computer research, and came to a very interesting conclusion: the main religious buildings of Cambodia are associated with a map of the starry sky of 10500 BC. e. In their opinion, the Angkorian temples of Cambodia on the map, if connected by one line, recreate the outlines of the Draco constellation.
The temples of Cambodia were not meant to be visited by believers. These religious buildings were considered the abode of the gods; only priests and monks could enter them. In some temples, tombs were erected for the rulers, whom they considered the incarnation of God on earth.
Each Khmer king followed the tradition - having ascended the throne, he began the construction of two temples - for himself and his ancestors. If he was dying, and the structures had not yet been completed, they were left unfinished, and immediately began a new construction site.
An image is carved on the wall of the Ta Prohm temple, which to this day haunts scientists around the world. And a herbivorous dinosaur is captured there, or rather, a stegosaurus that lived on the planet more than 150 million years ago. How the ancient Khmers learned about this animal is still a mystery.
On the territory of Cambodia there are several temples in the form of a pyramid. As is known, such grandiose structures found only in Peru, Egypt and Cambodia. An old legend explains this fact - they were all built by the same people who roamed these countries.
Many Cambodian temples are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Hello dear readers! Today the goal of our virtual travel will be the temple complex of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The Angkor region was the center of Cambujadesh, the ancient state of the Khmers. In addition to Cambodia itself, it included the territories of today's Laos, Vietnam and Thailand.

As is known from, this feudal kingdom existed from the 9th to the 13th centuries. It reached its peak in the 12th century when Angkor Wat was built. History is silent as the temple was called in those days.

Suryavarman II, one of the rulers of the Khmer Empire, erected it in honor of the Hindu god Vishnu. Therefore, there are suggestions that the historical name could sound like "Varah Vishnuloka", that is, "the place where the holy Vishnu lives."

What does the modern name mean?

"Angkor" (from the Sanskrit "nagara") means "city". Interestingly, in Cambujadesh they spoke two languages: the rulers in Sanskrit, and the common people in Khmer. The word "Wat" in the languages of Asian countries can mean a temple, pagoda or monastery.

Angkor Wat temple complex, Cambodia

The Khmer language is no exception here, but it also has a second meaning of the word "Wat": it is "admiration" or "veneration".

Cambodians are incredibly proud of their main shrine. The image of Angkor Wat is present on the state symbols of the country: the coat of arms and the flag.

Thus, the name of the sanctuary can be translated as:

temple city;
city temple;
capital temple.

But in fact, the word Angkor has long become a proper name and therefore cannot be translated in any way. Therefore, Angkor Wat is the temple of Angkor.

Location

The ruins of Angkor are located very close to Siem Reap. It is the capital of the Cambodian province of the same name. Angkor Archaeological Park covers approximately four hundred square meters. km along with its wooded territory.

Temple complex Angkor Wat on the map

Here are the majestic relics of the capitals of the Khmer Empire, which existed at different times from the 9th to the 15th centuries. They include the temple of Angkor Wat, which will be discussed in our story. Angkor Archaeological Park has been under the protection of UNESCO since 1992.

Rediscovering the world

The once great Kambujadesh was bled dry by endless wars with neighbors and exorbitant construction costs. It ceased to exist in the 14th century. Angkor Wat gradually fell into disrepair, but was not completely abandoned, as monks always lived here.

Two centuries later sacred place visited by the first Europeans. They were the Portuguese. First, the merchant Diogo do Couto published his travel notes. And after 36 years, the monk António da Madalena, having visited the ruins of the temple, described it in excellent colors.

But truly Europeans became interested in the shrine in 1860. This time the French did their bit in drawing attention to the shrine:

Preacher Charles-Emile Buyevo, who published a two-volume book of his impressions from visiting this place.
Naturalist and traveler Henri Muo, who popularized the great Khmer temple among Westerners.
Henri Ernest Jean Parmentier, archaeologist and later director of the French Institute Far East, who studied, described in documents and participated in the restoration of the monuments of Angkor.

The Paris Colonial Exhibition, which was held in 1931, exhibited a model of the sanctuary of Angkor Wat.

Model of Angkor Wat at the Royal Palace, Cambodia

There were also barbaric antics. In the 70s, part of the buildings and sculptural images were damaged by the Pol Potites. Well, now, protected by the world community, the temple is the number one attraction in the Cambodian kingdom, and any travel agency will tell you how to get here.

Those who have already been here share their experience with tourists:

The entrance ticket can be bought for a day, three days or a week. It must be kept, as controllers periodically check tickets. With a ticket, you can leave the complex any number of times during the paid time and enter again. It is personalized: your photo will be taken at the checkout, and it will be on the ticket.
Forgery of a ticket is punishable by law, as well as looting and damage to the property of Angkor.
At 5 o'clock in the morning it is customary to meet the dawn here, and the complex closes at 17:30.
Dress appropriately, covering your shoulders and knees. A headdress will save you from sunstroke. And shoes, despite the heat, are recommended to choose comfortable ones, such as sneakers, since the stairs with stone steps are very steep.
Well, and absolutely obvious truths: you should not litter, smoke, touch images with your hands. It is necessary to respect and follow the instructions of signs and signs on the territory.

Before visiting the temple, of course, it’s nice to be savvy in theoretical terms. Therefore, we turn to the description of its architecture.

architectural features

The Angkorian style in which this shrine is built combines features of both Khmer and Hindu architecture. This is a temple-mountain, personifying, in combination with many galleries. The building consists of three rectangular terraces that make up the pyramid.

The inner rectangular courtyard occupies two hundred hectares. It is surrounded by a wall four and a half meters high. From the outer side of the wall, a moat filled with water stretches for more than three and a half kilometers.

At its edges, the land is cleared of the jungle to a width of thirty meters. The width of the moat is one hundred and ninety meters, and it is believed that it was he who saved the temple from destruction and from the invasion of wild animals from the jungle during the years of oblivion.

Towers of Angkor Wat

The unique beauty of the monastery is given by five towers. Each of them is shaped like a lotus flower. The tower in the center rises sixty-five meters into the sky. It is higher than the other four by forty-two meters.

Khmer believers did not go to temples: their gods lived here. Only representatives of the clergy and rulers could go inside. Agkor Wat also served as the tomb of Suryavarman II.

The entrance to the temple is through the western gopura (the tower above the gate), which is considered the main one. It consists of three dilapidated turrets, behind which at first the giant main building is not visible, and is its likeness in form. Leaving the gopura, the traveler passes to the temple along the road, on both sides of which there is a parapet with statues of snakes with seven heads.

The road is laid on a dam made of sandstone. Probably, the dam was previously replaced by a wooden bridge. An earth embankment leads to the shrine from the east side. There are gopuras from all four cardinal directions, but the other three are smaller than the western one.

Statue of Vishnu in South Tower, Angkor Wat, Cambodia

There is a statue of Vishnu in the south tower. It is assumed that he appeared in it later, and initially his place was in the central hall. Four gopuras on each of the three tiers are connected by galleries, decorated with square columns along the outer wall.

The galleries are so spacious that, if desired, an elephant could pass through them. Because of this, another name for gopura is “elephant gate”. The ceiling of the galleries is decorated with stone lotus flowers. And the walls have the richest decoration, more than a thousand square meters. What is it:

bas-reliefs with scenes from the history of the Khmers, the ancient Indian epic and Hindu myths;
figurines of two thousand charming demigoddesses - apsaras with intricate and sophisticated hairstyles;

Bas-reliefs on the walls of the temple - Apsaras

griffins;
sculptures of dancing people;
dragons with wings harnessed to chariots;
figures of men dancing on the backs of running animals;
unicorns;

warriors with leaders riding on elephants;
devatas.

On the map of the complex, there were originally both city buildings and the royal palace. But all of them collapsed over time, as they were not built of stone. Only the outlines of some streets have survived to this day.

From the main road to the temple, perpendicular to it, there are six pairs of side stairs, along which you can go down to the territory of the former city. There are two library buildings located symmetrically on both sides of the road, with ponds in front of them. These reservoirs, as well as the cross-shaped terrace into which the main road passes, appeared later than other elements of the complex.

The subtleties of the building

The stones used for the construction are so smooth that they seem to be polished. No solution was used for their coupling. They fit so tightly to neighboring stones that the seams are not visible at all.

Sometimes there are no connections in the blocks at all, they are held by gravity. In most of the blocks, the researchers noticed multiple holes about three centimeters in length and slightly smaller in cross section. Opinions about their purpose differ: some scientists believe that they are intended for metal connecting rods, others that they are for connecting parts, with the help of which it was easier to move stones during installation.

There is evidence that elephants were used to actuate the block mechanism. The ropes were made from coir, the middle layer of the coconut wall. So the stones were lifted into place.

There are holes in the walls too. This suggests that once there were panels of bronze. It was the height of chic in antiquity, but also attracted marauders.

The figure indicating the amount of sandstone that went into the construction of this ancient monument is impressive: over five million tons. This building material was delivered from the Kulen Plateau along the Siem Reap River.

According to modern ideas, a structure of such complexity should have been erected for several hundred years. Nevertheless, the construction of Angkor Wat was completed in about forty years - the lifetime of its founder. This indicates that the builders had some special knowledge and skills.

And finally, quite sensational information: scientists have established using computer programs that the location of the temples of the Angkor complex exactly corresponds to the location of the stars in the constellation Draco, as it was during sunrise ten and a half thousand years BC, on the day of the vernal equinox. So what is thismiracleSveta, which is only about a thousand years old, continues to keep its secrets.

Conclusion

Having visited the temple of Angkor Wat, even inveterate skeptics admit that famous place has amazing energy and sinks into the soul for a long time. Many come back here again, and more than once. The tourists who have been here are unanimous in one thing: this miracle must be seen with your own eyes at least once in your life.

Once upon a time I read in a beautiful picture book about ancient temple in the middle of the jungle. And I had a dream to see Angkor - an amazing temple complex built in the period from the 9th to the 13th centuries by the ancient Khmers. It's ancient architectural structure is the main attraction of Cambodia and its pride. located a few kilometers from the city of Siem Reap. They are popular among tourists from all over the world and each of them wants to visit Angkor Wat - the largest Hindu temple in the world and a real treasure of the Khmer Empire. To look at them, I came to Cambodia three times in different times, and each time I discovered something new for myself.

What is Angkor?

Angkor- This is an area in Cambodia, in which numerous ruins of the temples of the ancient Khmer Empire are concentrated, which flourished at the beginning of the last millennium. It contains entire constellations of ancient Khmer cities, which combine a variety of architectural styles. Each of the temple cities is connected to the other, and at the same time they are independent and are different stages in the development of the empire. Some temples (for example) were forgotten immediately after the overthrow of the king who built them, others ceased to have value after another form of construction was found, like the unfinished Ta Keo. But each of them is unique.

The central part of the territory of Angkor is city of angkor thom, surrounded by a deep moat with water and walls 8 meters high and 3 kilometers long. On it was huge palace, built under Jayavarman VII, in which the king and people close to him lived, as well as temples and important government institutions. The most famous of them are the Bayon Temple, the terraces of the elephants and the leper king, as well as the Royal Palace and the Mount Bapuon temple located next to it.

Basic information:

Name	Angkor
What is	An area in Cambodia containing the ruins of temples of the ancient Khmer Empire. Also, the word Angkor means many Hindu temples built by the Khmers from the 9th to the 16th centuries and are distinguished by a unique architectural style.
Where is	In the Kingdom of Cambodia, on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia
Cultural and historical affiliation	Khmer Empire, Khmer Civilization
How to get there	Fly by plane to the city of Siem Reap in Cambodia or arrive there by bus or car. After that, rent a transport with a driver-guide or rent a bicycle / motorbike / electric bike and go to the Angor temple complex, located a few kilometers north of Siem Reap.
Main Attractions	1) Angor Wat Temple, 2) Angor Thom Temple City, 3) Bayon Temple Mount, 4) Koh Ker Pyramid, 5) Ta Prohm Monastery Temple and Beng Melia, a miniature pink temple of Banteay Srei.
Ticket price	For 1 day - $37, for 3 days - $62, for 7 days - $72. Entrance to some temples of Angora is paid extra (from 5 to 15 dollars).
Angor in films	1) Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, 2) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Where is Angkor and how to get there

Angkor is located in Cambodia, north of the lake near the city of Siem Reap. It is located on a flat area, like the ancient city, among fields and forests south of the Kulen plateau. GPS coordinates Angkor: 13° 26′ 0″ N, 103° 50′ 0″ E. The size of Angkor is amazing, its length is 24 kilometers from west to east and 8 kilometers from north to south.

Get to Angkor can be done in several ways:

Angkor Wat on the map of Southeast Asia

What is the Angkor Temple Complex?

Angkor temple complex is an architecturally unique collection of temples made of stone (mainly sandstone and laterite), differing in shape: temple-mountain, temple at ground level, Angkor Wat (a unique combination of temple-mountain and temple at ground level), temple-monasteries , as well as the huge cities of Angkor Thom and Koh Ker. The complex of temples was built by the Khmer civilization in the period from the 9th to the 12th century on the territory of modern Cambodia. The main attraction of the temple complex is the temple of Angkor Wat, covering an area of 2.5 km2. And Banteay Srey, built in 967, is considered the most beautiful temple of Angkor, according to many travelers, and this is especially noticeable in the morning rays of the rising sun.

Pink sunrise and Angkor Wat temple silhouette

- these are amazing Khmer ceremonial structures that are not similar to each other. They are combined into a grandiose temple complex in terms of scope and historical significance, built during the reign of the Khmer Empire (IX-XVI centuries).

It will take several days to see all the temples of Angkor, as the archaeological park covers an area of about 200 km 2. The most famous of the temples is Angkor Wat, and the neighboring Angkor Thom and Bayon are known as the most prominent architectural monuments Khmer Empire included in the list world heritage UNESCO.

Basic information about the temples of Angkor:

Name	Temples of Angkor
Where are	On the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. The main temples of Angkor are concentrated north of the city of Siem Reap in Cambodia, but there are many separate temples in other provinces of the Kingdom of Cambodia, as well as in Thailand and Laos.
What are	Religious and religious Hindu buildings built by representatives of the Khmer Empire in the period from the 9th to the 16th century, the main distinguishing feature of which is the unique architecture.
The main temples of Angkor	Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei, Koh Ker, Beng Melia, Kbal Spean, Preah Khan, Phnom Bakeng
	1) Temple Mount; 2) Temple at ground level; 3) Temple-monastery; 4) City-temple.
Division by geographic location	1) Nearby temples of Angkor (next to Angkor Wat); 2) Far Temples of Angokra
How to watch	The best way to see the temples of Angkor is independent travel in Cambodia (Siem Reap city).
Number of Angora temples	Over 1000
main building material	Sandstone, laterite

temple mountain- This is a ceremonial structure on the territory of modern Cambodia in the form of a stepped pyramid, personifying Mount Meru and fully embodying the cosmogony of Hinduism. It was dedicated to the god Shiva, was the center of religious life among the ancient Khmers and the repository of the royal linga. This form of the temples of Angkor was characteristic of the beginning of the heyday of the Khmer civilization (from the 9th to the 10th century). The ditch around represents the ocean in which the earth is located, the walls of the temple are mountain ranges, and the second ditch is considered the sea. Examples of a temple-mountain are Bakong, Phnom Bakheng, and the Ta Keo temple, also part of the Angkor temple complex, was never completed.

Temple at ground level- Khmer type of temples dedicated to ancestors, a characteristic feature of which are massive platforms at the base, as well as rich sculptural decoration of stairs, facades and passages and skillfully carved stone pediments. A real masterpiece of such carving was the design of the temple of Banteay Srei. This form of temple construction was also characteristic of the first half of the existence of the Khmer empire. Preah Koh is said to be the first ground level temple, followed by Prasat Kravan and Lo Lei.

During the construction of Angkor Wat in the 12th century, Khmer engineering tried to embody both of these temple forms in one structure, and the result was temple-mountain at ground level. This time is considered the golden age of Khmer architecture. There were other attempts to build a similar engineering and architectural masterpiece, as a result of which Beng Melia and Banteay Samre appeared in the temple complex of Angkor.

Temples-monasteries- These are huge ceremonial structures that occupy a vast territory as part of the Angkor temple complex in Cambodia. They were mostly built under King Jayavarman VII (a supporter of Mahayana Buddhism) and were surrounded by numerous buildings richly decorated with bas-reliefs and sculptures. The most famous temple-monasteries are Ta Prohm and Preah Khan.

angkor wat in cambodia

Angkor Wat- This is the main temple of the huge complex of Angkor. It was built in the 12th century and became the pearl of the Khmer architectural style - a balance was finally found between cosmology, between politics, architecture and people's capabilities. And now Angkor Wat still amazes people with its sophistication and it is its five lotus towers that adorn the coat of arms of Cambodia.

Angkor Wat is located next to Siem Reap, and all the routes that tuk-tuk drivers offer tourists pass through it. So, when you come to Siem Reap, you will definitely see it!

Angkor Wat on the map

Basic information about Angkor Wat in Cambodia:

Name	Angkor Wat
Where is	6 km from the city of Siem Reap in Cambodia on the territory of the Angkor temple complex
GPS coordinates	13° 24′ 45″ N, 103° 52′ 0″ E 13.4125, 103.866667
What is	Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu, built during the heyday of the Khmer empire. It is the largest religious building in the world, protected by UNESCO.
How to get there	Arrive in the city of Siem Reap in Cambodia, and then go on an excursion to Angkor on your own or by hiring transport with a personal driver in the city. You can also buy a seat in organized tour Angkor Wat with a tour guide
Working hours	From 5:00 to 18:00
Cost of visiting	Ticket price for 1 day - $ 37 per person. A ticket for three days costs 62 USD, and for a week - 72 dollars.
When and by whom it was built	XII century. The construction of Angkor Wat was started by Suryavarman II and completed by Jayavarman VII.
Architectural style	Khmer
Square	200 ha
Height of central prasat	65 meters
Wall dimensions	1.5 x 1.3 km (rectangular)
The width of the moat around	190 meters
Best time to visit	November to February (during the dry season)
Attendance (number of tourists)	Over 2.5 million people per year
Page on the UNESCO website	http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/668

Routes around Angkor

A visit to Angkor should be carefully prepared, because there are many temples, and all of them are interesting in their own way. First of all, it is necessary to draw up a route, deciding which of the temples of the huge temple complex will be included in it and which will not. Fortunately, travelers and tukers in Siem Reap have long since solved this problem.

What is the big and small circle of Angkor

is an inspection of the main attractions of the temple complex, built during the power of the Khmer Empire. During organized excursion tourists who come to the city of Siem Reap, which is located near Angkor Wat, are accommodated in hotels, and during the day they visit ancient temples. Self-guided tour to Angkor is more popular among travelers. There is nothing complicated about how to organize it. To do this, you need to hire a transport with a driver in Siem Reap, who will take you from one inspection site to another, or you can rent a bicycle or motorbike in the city and ride yourself.

It is possible to come to Angkor from neighboring countries. A very popular tour from Pattaya to Cambodia, during which an organized group with a Russian-speaking guide is brought by bus to Siem Reap for 1-2 days to show the main attraction - Angkor Wat. There are also excursions from Ho Chi Minh City and Sihanoukville.

The most interesting thing that awaits you during an excursion to Angkor:

Go watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat
Admire the many-faced Bayon temple, whose faces, in different lighting conditions, are either smiling or sad
Visit the ruins of Ta Prohm from Lara Croft: Tomb Raider with Angelina Jolie
Rise above Angkor hot-air balloon
You can ride an elephant to Mount Bakeng and watch the sunset there
Buy souvenirs, knitwear and black pepper at the market
Go to the evening Apsara dance show

Hotels in Siem Reap

Upon arrival in the first place you need to be accommodated in advance booked hotel or find it with the help of a tuker, who will certainly offer his help in exchange for a promise to take you to the sights of Angkor. There are a lot of hotels in Siem Reap - for every taste and budget: cheap guesthouses for $10 and expensive villas for $100 or more.

Important: all the details about the city of Siem Reap and what hotels there are,

You can compare prices for hotels in Siem Reap and choose the most suitable one right here:

How to watch Angkor - all options

Apart from organized trip by bus to Angkor or by hiring a tuk tuk with driver in Siem Reap, there are several other options. Starting in 2016, it became possible to view the temple complex on a rented motorbike or electric bike. This is the most important innovation and it concerns mainly independent travelers.

The first thing that catches your eye when walking around Siem Reap is the rows of new motorbikes. Now they are rented out to everyone! So there was an opportunity independently explore the temples of Angkor on a motorbike. Previously, the tuk-tuk guild was against tourists moving around the temple complex on their own (unless no one touched the cyclists, they just waved their hand at them!). But now tukers have lost some of their audience. You can rent a motorbike on any street - prices are from 12 to 20 dollars. From an enterprising Chinese, the owner of a souvenir shop, we took a motorbike, which is convenient to ride together. Initially, he rented for $15 (in other offices he went for $20), but we bargained for $13. And the bike was good, Japanese, new and powerful. And the number on this bike was capital. Motobike is, of course, real freedom for independent travelers who have either already been to Siem Reap and roughly represent the territory of the archaeological park, or for independent and courageous people who need only a map or navigator for adventures.
Bicycles are also rented - the price is from a dollar to two a day, depending on the place. We rented from our hotel and paid $1.50 for one day, and if we rode two days or more, the price would drop to a dollar a day. In addition, cycling tours of the temples of Angkor with a guide are now in vogue. Indeed, in Europe it is customary to ride bicycles, why deny yourself this on vacation? And the whole company, 5-10 people each, hires a guide, sits down on bicycles and rides together between the temples. How much they pay the guide for his torment, I can’t even imagine.
There is also a new option - electric bikes. But, they say, they are still low-power, slow and they have weak batteries. That is, they will fit to ride around the city of Siem Reap. But it’s better not to ride them to temples, otherwise who knows who else will carry whom ... The price of electric bikes is $10. On the roads, we even sometimes saw green signs where you can charge your electric bike for free. How it works in reality is not tested on myself. We rode an electric bike around Bagan at the time, and decided that, subject to certain rules, an electric bike is quite useful when visiting the countless pagodas of Bagan. About our e-bike rental experience in Bagan.
Tuk Tukers there are still a lot and they are happy to offer their services and take you around the temples of Angkor. Read about how important it is to choose a good tuker. By the way, as we found out, tuk-tuk is the name for tourists. But the Cambodians themselves call their carts with a motorcycle - remork.
angkor wat hot air balloon. There is also the opportunity to view the main temple of Angkor from a bird's eye view. You can go up in a hot air balloon for $20.

Nice bikes for rent

Motobikes are also now available for rent

Tuk-tuk prices in Siem Rim

Here are approximately these prices you can navigate in 2016-2017 on excursions to Angkor Wat

Tickets to Angkor

The cost of tickets for visiting the temples of Angkor has not changed for many years.

1 day - $37
3 days - $62 (ticket valid for 10 days)
7 days - $72 (valid for a month)

Tickets - nominal, more precisely "facial". They have your instant photo taken by the cashier at the sale, they cannot be shared with other people.

The availability of tickets is now checked at every temple, and they look not only for their validity period, but also often compare your appearance with the photo on the ticket. The caretakers at the entrance put a mark every day that you have already visited the park today, so that you can’t cheat and walk on a three-day ticket for more days.

You can skip days and visit the temples of Angkor at a convenient time. During the day, you can enter and leave the park as many times as you like. At the first visit, the workers of the archaeological park will still note that you have already been there that day.

What else you need to know about Angkor

Rules for visiting Angkor:

Working hours. All temples open at 7:30 am and close at 5:30 pm. Before and after tourists are not allowed into the territory of the temples. The exceptions are Angkor Wat, which opens at 5 am so that travelers have the opportunity to meet the dawn here, and Pre Rup and Phnom Bakeng are open from 5.00 to 19.00. Here you can watch both sunrise and sunset. But in fact, almost everyone goes to meet the dawn in Angkor Wat, and at sunset they gather on Bakeng Hill. It is worth adding that guards are on duty near each of the temples, so it is unlikely that it will be possible to easily enter at the wrong time.
Dress code. The temples of Angkor are not active, so you can walk around the territory in shoes that should be comfortable, because in the heat the stones become very hot. However, in flip-flops walking up the stairs will be extremely inconvenient. It is better to choose clothes that are light and comfortable, but not overly open.
Be careful on stairs. Some temples, especially Ta Keo, with its steep and high stairs, are worth visiting with caution. Keep your hands free when you're on ladders so you can always grab on. Be as vigilant as possible and look under your feet!
Mines in Cambodia. Do not forget that Cambodia, just a few decades ago, experienced a terrible civil war, and not all of its lands are free of mines. Areas near Phnom Kulen Mountain, the Kbal Spean River and the Koh Ker Pyramid are still mined. Don't stray off the hiking trails and don't ignore the "Danger! Mines!" This is not a joke or a prank.
Drink water. Always take enough drinking water with you!