Khmer Civilization Religion

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Khmer CivilizationReligion Politics
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The Khmer Civilization
The Khmer Civilization came into existence in
802 and lasted till 1431 A.D. Its emergence came
when the Khmer rulers adopted a political
doctrine, which enforced the unity among the
people. After this doctrine, and the people
united, they developed an irrigation system that
flourish and controlled the water along the
nearby Mekong River for their agricultures. This
enhanced their prosperity, and made them a great
civilization. However, due to a loss of water
control, threats from neighboring states,
perishing devotion to the god-king led to the
civilizations fall. Although the civilization
has perished, it left outstanding monuments such
as the great Khmer temples of Angkor Wat and
Bayon and numerous unique sculptures.
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How Architecture is dictated by Religion
As the temples are meant to be lasting and
permanent symbols of the Khmer peoples faith
they are constructed of more endurable material
then the homes of the common citizens, and even
of the nobles. The most common material that
the temples were constructed of were brick and
sandstone. Many crafts people sculpted beautiful
and elaborate decorations and statues of their
deities. These adorned the five temples and
represented the myth of Mahabharata and Ramayana
and also depicted certain important events from
the Khmer history.
Phanom Rung temple complex. This temple is a
walled-in enclosure, with both the door frames
and walls carved in beautiful designs of Lopburi
Period style with Khmer influence. The beauty of
the main prang of Phanom Rung lies not only in
its plan, but in the vibrant stone carvings which
cover large parts of the temple.
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Festivities and Traditions

• SPIRITS COMMEMORATION FESTIVAL (September)
• BONN KATHEN  (October)
• WATER FESTIVAL (November)
• BONN TANG TOH (October) Khmer Monks

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Historical Role of Religion in Khmer Politics
Khmer interpretations of both religions were
unique in that they allowed for the de-facto
deification of the ruling monarch, and this was
the capacity in which religion was most
politically relevant as a quasi-deity, the
monarchs authority was essentially dictatorial.
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Khmer (Cambodian) Archaeology
Royal Institute of Fine Arts
Khmer Archaeology for the people founded at Royal
University of Fine Arts in the mid 1960s.
Training is made available to the indigenous
people
Carving at the Angkor Temple
French Archaeologist Henri Mansuy directed
most of research with help of other French
nationals.
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Angkor Temple
The Khmer Civilization had long been perished
over 5 centuries ago, but it left outstanding
monuments such as the great Khmer temples of
Angkor Wat and Bayon and numerous unique
sculptures like Apsara. The word "Angkor" is
derived Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language, of
"Nagara" which means "City".  Angkor Wat
literally means "City of Temple" and Angkor Thom
"The Magnificent City".
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More Pictures of the Temple