Jayavarman VII acceded to the throne in 1181 and immidiately began to reign with vigor from his new capital of Angkor Thom.He sought to use Buddhism to unify the kingdom, and he had many temples built along the royal roads. Within and in close proximity to the capital are such temple ruins as Bayon, Ta Prohm is one of
that. This temple was discovered in the midst of the jungle,untouched since it was abandoned. Massive tree roots, like huge serpents,crawl over the roof and walls, testimony to the amazing life force of the jungle.
Looking at these ancient ruins,one cann't help but be impressed by the power of nature and the weight of history.
A heap of stones in the central courtyard of Ta Prohm,surrrounded by the walls of a gallery.
Beautifully stylized images of devatas are sculpted in the panels between the false windows lining the gallery.
A banyan tree growing over the entry to a gllery leading to a sanctuary tower(at right ).
No restoration efforts have been undertaken at Ta Prohm ,and it remains today just as it was when discovered in the jungle.
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