Bayon Tapestries

One of the many faces of the Bayon Temple in Cambodia

Face from the Bayon Temple in Cambodia.

Bayon Temple in Angkor Thom, Cambodia

Bayon is in the heart of the ancient city of Angkor Thom, which was the symbolic center of the Khmer empire. Dedicated to Buddha by King Jayavarman VII, this state temple was originally called “Jayagiri” (which means “Victory Mountain”) but was renamed “Banyan Temple” sometime after the period of French occupancy. The Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment after a long period of meditation beneath a banyan tree. The religious significance of the banyan tree and the many banyan trees growing around the site made it an appropriate name. However, the local Khmer who worked on the restoration of the temple were responsible for its final name change. The workers mispronounced the name as “Bayon” instead of “Banyan” and the name stuck.

Bayon Temple in Angkor Archaeological Park, Cambodia

Bayon is in the heart of the ancient city of Angkor Thom, which was the symbolic center of the Khmer empire. Dedicated to Buddha by King Jayavarman VII, this state temple was originally called “Jayagiri” (which means “Victory Mountain”) but was renamed “Banyan Temple” sometime after the period of French occupancy. The Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment after a long period of meditation beneath a banyan tree. The religious significance of the banyan tree and the many banyan trees growing around the site made it an appropriate name. However, the local Khmer who worked on the restoration of the temple were responsible for its final name change. The workers mispronounced the name as “Bayon” instead of “Banyan” and the name stuck.

Illustration of Bayon temple from Cambodia.

The Bayon is a richly decorated Khmer temple related to Buddhism at Angkor in Cambodia. Built in the late 12th or early 13th century as the state temple of the King Jayavarman VII, the Bayon stands at the centre of Jayavarman's capital, Angkor Thom.

Portion from the Bayon, the state temple of Jayavarman VII who established Angkor Thom (in Khmer literally: "Great City") in the late twelfth century as the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire. The Bayon Temple is part of what is now the Angkor Archaeological Park inscribed in 1992 on the UNESCO World Heritage List (Ref: 668). Siem Reap district, Cambodia 8E1309.2306 Nikon D800E | Nikon 24-85VR @ 55mm f/11 1/200s ISO320 | Raw Featured in All Things Photographic (7 October 2013) Featured in Featured Men Photographers (8 September 2016)

Within the wider Angkor Wat complex is Angkor Thom, which was a city constructed for King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. As a city, it consists of many sites, only the most durable of which remain. This image is of an open gallery in the Bayon Temple. I was really drawn to the wonderful colours in the columns. I hope you enjoy it as well.

This is one of the "face towers" that adorn the Bayon temple in Angkor Thom. The huge faces, 216 of them, at the various sites in Angkor Thom are grouped in fours around towers. Each of the faces is very similar to any other, Scholars are unsure of who they might represent, a bodhisattva, Brahma, or maybe King Jayavarman VII, who was responsible for the construction of Angkor Thom. All that aside, when capturing the image I was really drawn to the power of the faces that adorn the towers. The faces seems so peaceful with closed eyes and gentle smiles.

Bayon is one of the most visited temples in the vast Angkor Wat complex. The temple was part of Angkor Thom, itself the capital city of the Khmer kingdom, but was abandoned for centuries. Today only the most durable of the structures remain, but even they show the passage of time. That said, the ruins are remarkable and are a testament to the incredible architectural merit of the time. This image is of what appears to be a formerly covered passageway. A lintel remains over the portal, but otherwise, just the vertical stonework seems to have survived. But even in its ruin, it speaks to the power this place must have once held.

This image depicts one of the wonderful bas relief carvings on the walls of the Bayon Temple in Angkor Thom. Although time has taken its toll, the statue is essentially intact, as are the wonderful stone-carved ornamentations that surround it. I remember having to wait several minutes to capture this image because of the constant procession of visitors passing by.

Bayon Temple in the Angkor Wat complex - One of the most famous ruins on the planet. Tell everyone you have been there :)

Bayon temple in Angkor Archaeological Park, Cambodia

Bayon Temple, Cambodia. Nikon D7000 18-200mm VR Lens.

Embrace the warmth and charm of Cambodia with this vibrant "Cambodia: The Land of Smiles" design, featuring a colorful graphic of the mesmerizing Bayon Temple. Showcasing the unique architectural wonder alongside Cambodia's welcoming nickname, this design beautifully captures the essence of the country's rich culture, history, and friendly spirit. Perfect for travelers, history enthusiasts, and those with a love for Southeast Asian culture, this eye-catching design is a must-have for anyone who has been touched by the smiles and hospitality of the Cambodian people. Whether you've visited the country or dream of exploring its enchanting landscapes, let this lively design transport you to the heart of Cambodia's timeless beauty.

Embrace the serene mystique of the ancient world with our "Majestic Angkor Wat Faces" artwork. Each glance brings you closer to the spiritual heart of Cambodia, capturing the enigmatic smiles of Bayon Temple's stone faces. Perfect for lovers of history, archaeology, and world travel, this design is a tribute to the Khmer Empire's enduring legacy. Add a touch of timelessness to your collection with this captivating piece.

This image was captured near the top of the Baphuon Temple. At 34 metres high, getting to the top of the temple is a bit of a challenge. It's not that the 34 metres are excessive, it's the incredibly steep, very wide, and very well worn stone staircases that causes the trepidation. You have nothing but your fingernails to hold you in place, Those stone steps had, no doubt, witnessed millions of feet and so were not as flat as they once had been. The descent was best navigated by going down backwards. Back to the image, which depicts the wonderful columns and arches that adorn the top of the 2nd tier of the temple. With the temple being roughly square, these columns went around each side, with the remains of an old tower in the middle...

This image is of the Baphuon Temple, which is in Angkor Thom, near Siem Reap, Cambodia. The temple was originally built in the mid-11th century to honour the Hindu god Shiva, but later was converted into a Buddhist temple. By the time of the 20th century, the temple had largely collapsed. What remained was dismantled, About 300,000 pieces were labelled and numbered. However, the records were lost during the time of the Khmer Rouge, so when the project restarted, it then took 16 years to unravel the 3D jigsaw puzzle and rebuild the temple. Today, it is a marvel to behold, being about 100 metres square and about 30 metres tall.

This is a gopura, or gopuram, located near the Phimeanakas Temple in Angkor Thom, which is very close to Siem Reap in Cambodia. Gopura, of this kind, were typically located at the edge of the grounds of medieval Hindu temples, where they acted as the entrance to the grounds. The Phimeanakas Temple dates from the 10th century, so this gopura may be of a similar age. We look at these incredibly old structures where just the stonework remains. They must surely have had many embellishments during their heydays. But even today, they stand as noble structures, which is what I wanted to capture.

one of the many Buddha heads at the Bayon Temple in Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap