Angkor Thom - Bapuon or Baphuon (Baphuon)

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General information, history

Main view of Bapuon

Bapuon or Baphuon (Baphuon) is part of the ancient city Angkor Tom in the temple complex Angkor. It was one of the largest, in size, temples of Angkor Thom.

The temple is a five-stage pyramid consisting of three tiers, which is why it was compared to a large temple-mountain, personifying the sacred Mount Meru. In its heyday, the dome of the temple was covered with copper plates.

It is built in the Bapuon style, dedicated to Hinduism.

Bapuon was erected by King Udayadityavarman II (Udayadityavarman II), who ruled from 1050 to 1066, and was the center of the former capital – Yasodharapura. Restoration work on its territory began in the 60s of the XX century and continues to the present (August 2012). In this connection, the temple looks dilapidated and not all places for inspection are open to the public.

Interesting is the reznina Bapuon with an ornament of vegetation, similar to which can be seen in the Eastern Mebon, with several scenes preserved in the galleries of the first and second tiers.

A distinctive feature of the Bapuon style is the connection of several elements with drawings carved on them into a single panel. It was also characteristic to divide the bas-reliefs horizontally into several scenes.

It is worth mentioning the statue of the reclining Buddha, which is located on the western side of the temple (according to some information, it was installed at a later time, for which, apparently, some of the elements of the upper tower were dismantled). Unfortunately, this figure was unfinished, which is why it is difficult to distinguish today.

Orientation in the temple, tips for inspection

Bapuon

The temple is located 200 m northwest of Bayon, south of the Royal Palace and about 10 kilometers from the center Siem Reap (cm. Bapuon on the map of Angkor). It usually becomes the next object for inspection after the Bayon. You should get to it by bike or motorbike, on foot – only from nearby objects, including Bayon.

Time for inspection should be allocated no more than half an hour. If you don't have enough time to explore all the sights of Angkor Thom, then perhaps Bapuon should be skipped. There are not many people here, as restoration work has been carried out in the temple over the past few years, which is why part of the galleries and the main dome have been dismantled. The entrance to the temple is from the east side, and the exit is from the west. Unfortunately, due to the miscalculations of the builders of that period, the temple continues to collapse, despite the attempts of scientists to preserve it.

Despite the above, from the platform of the central tower (the third tier) there is a panoramic view of the surrounding area, in particular, the Phnom Bakeng towers are visible from the south side, and Pimeanakas from the north. For good photos, it is better to choose the first half of the day or sunset.

Temple construction, architecture

View from the top of Bapuona

The bapuon has a rectangular shape and three tiers.

The territory adjacent to the temple measures 425m by 125m and was surrounded by a low wall.

The entrance gopura of Bapuona is on the same axis as the Terrace of Elephants, and there is practically nothing left of it. Gopura is separated from the temple by a long two-level road 200 m long. Natural reservoirs have been preserved on both sides of the road, and closer to the temple on the north side there is an artificial pool filled with water. In the middle of the road there is a cross-shaped pavilion with two entrances and exits, which apparently served as a descent to small reservoirs and a swimming pool.

The base of the pyramid is 120m by 100m. The main entrance to the temple is located on the east side. It is necessary to climb a rather steep staircase up to the central gopura of the first tier. It has pavilions on both sides of the entrance, the shape of the gopura dome resembles a lotus bud. Previously, this gopura was connected to the galleries of the first tier around the perimeter, but there is nothing left of the galleries, only remnants resembling window openings. The size of the central gopura is larger than the other three and it has been preserved much better. Gopura on the outside is decorated with carvings of flowers and animals.

On the site of the first tier, there are destroyed library buildings on the west and east sides, two each from the east and west. There are three rows of low pillars stretching from libraries and nearby gopuras, previously stone slabs were superimposed on these pillars, which served as a kind of path connecting libraries with gopuras and a staircase leading to the second tier.

The second tier has dimensions of approximately 65m by 58m, four axial gopura, preserved much better than on the previous tier, also a double row of wide windows and a narrow courtyard.

In the galleries of the first and second tiers there are bas-reliefs of various subjects, mainly scenes from the epics of the Mahabharata and Ramayana (Shiva, episodes from the life of Krishna, Vishnu and other characters), the daily life of people and hermits, military battles, images of people, animals, etc. Unfortunately, the galleries are unavailable for inspection due to the ongoing work.

The third tier, measuring 41m by 36m, has a double row of columns along the edges. Initially, there were angular and axial gopuras here, but they have not been preserved. From the central domed tower, which was the main sanctuary, and located in the center there was only a reminder: a pile of stones with four openings-entrances. It has been established that this tower is made of earth and reinforced at the edges with limestone blocks. The height of the central tower from the ground was about 50 m.