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What was Angkor Wat’s purpose?
It is generally accepted that Angkor Wat was a funerary temple for King Suryavarman II and oriented to the west to conform to the symbolism between the setting sun and death. The bas-reliefs, designed for viewing from left to right in the order of Hindu funereal ritual, support this function.
What does Cambodia’s Angkor Wat translate to in the local language?
Angkor Wat, translated from Khmer (the official language of Cambodia) literally means “City Temple.” As far as names go this is as generic as it gets.
What does Angkor Wat reveal about the Khmer empire?
Angkor Wat shows that the Khmer Empire was a sophisticated, culturally advanced kingdom capable of extraordinary architectural feats.